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Smithfield council sworn in new members, names mayor pro tem and wins DOT postponement on Market Street parking
Summary
The Town of Smithfield held an organizational meeting with swearing‑in ceremonies for the mayor and four councilmembers, a proclamation honoring retiring Councilman David Barber, appointments to advisory bodies and a council vote to adopt a meeting calendar. Mayor Andy Moore said N.C. DOT has postponed a planned Market Street parking removal until after Christmas.
At an organizational meeting that opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, the Town of Smithfield swore in the mayor and multiple councilmembers, approved routine business, and took steps on internal governance and downtown concerns.
Mayor Andy Moore and four new or returning councilmembers each took the oath of office. Senior Associate Supreme Court Justice Michael R. Morgan administered the oath to Councilman Geddes Cohen Jr.; the clerk of superior court and local judges administered other oaths. The council then approved the agenda and consent items by voice vote.
The meeting included a formal recognition of Councilman David Barber. Mayor Moore read a proclamation honoring Barber’s service since his initial swearing on Dec. 5, 2017, and presented a ceremonial key. Colleagues praised Barber for longtime service to West Smithfield and for advocacy on projects such as sidewalks and neighborhood connectivity.
Pursuant to the cited state statute, the council nominated and approved Sloane Stephens as mayor pro tem for the next two years. The council also appointed Councilman Wood to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and adopted the council’s posted meeting schedule for public record; members noted the calendar could be revised after further discussion. All recorded motions were adopted by voice vote; the transcript does not record roll‑call tallies.
Moore updated the council on a downtown parking matter: he said the N.C. Department of Transportation had decided to remove parking on Market Street “for safety reasons,” and that town officials and state legislators had asked DOT to consider alternatives for downtown businesses. He told the council DOT had notified the town it would postpone the parking changes until after Christmas. “They have postponed that until after Christmas,” Moore said during the meeting.
The council closed routine business with a motion to recess until a scheduled work session on Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m.; the motion carried by voice vote. The meeting included repeated reminders about upcoming community holiday events and a reception for attendees across the street at the fire department.
Votes at a glance: agenda as amended — adopted (voice vote, no roll call recorded); consent agenda — adopted (voice vote); Sloane Stephens appointed mayor pro tem — adopted (voice vote); Councilman Wood appointed to Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee — adopted (voice vote); meeting schedule adopted — adopted (voice vote); recess to Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. — adopted (voice vote).
A note on the record: the transcript did not provide a formal roll‑call tally for votes and did not explicitly state the meeting date in the text. The Town of Smithfield posted and will maintain the official minutes and any roll‑call vote records in the municipal record.
