by Geoff Fox & Kate Shunney
Town officials on Monday voted officially to appoint Patrick Norris as the new Hancock councilman during a special town meeting attended by three councilmen and the town’ s attorney. The meeting, which lasted roughly 10 minutes, had just one item on the agenda – to ratify Norris’ appointment.
Councilman David Kerns made a motion to appoint Norris, and the motion passed 3-0, with Councilman Josh McCusker absent from the meeting.
Mayor Tim Smith administered an oath of office for Norris for a second time on Monday.
Last Thursday, July 28, the council had announced Norris’ appointment to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Michael Faith from council.
At that July 28 meeting, Mayor Smith swore in Norris, but the council neglected to hold an official vote on the appointment during the session.
In response to questions from The Hancock News last Friday, town officials said the lack of a vote last Thursday was just an oversight, and their August 1 meeting would correct that.
Norris replaces Mike Faith who resigned at the July town meeting to take the town manager position. Faith had himself been appointed to the council to replace Misty Cubbage, who resigned because she moved out of town limits.
Norris will serve out the remainder of Cubbage’ s term in office, which ends in 2025, said town council officials on Monday.
Norris was recruited for council by Councilman Roland Lanehart, Jr. and he said he is willing to serve on any town committees assigned to him.
Norris has a background in residential construction and works now in commercial construction for Carl Belt in the Cumberland area. Norris is married to wife Laura and has six children.
Backhoe bought
In other business last Thursday, town officials approved the purchase of a backhoe for Public Works. The purchase was actually made the previous week, however, with the cost it had to be approved by officials.
The backhoe was purchased for $37,500 from L.W. Wolf Construction. The company was going out of business at the time of purchase.
Mayor Tim Smith said the backhoe is already in town and at the Public Works building.
