The town council for Granite Falls is set to begin its duties now that the mayor and council members have taken their oaths of office.

During Monday night's council meeting, Mayor Barry Hayes and council members Dr. Caryl Burns, Frank Mackie and and Max McRary were sworn into office.

Town Clerk Paula Kirby administered the oath of office to Hayes, who then administered the oath to Burns, Mackie and McRary, the lone newcomer to the board.

Council members then went about the business of choosing a mayor pro tempore. Tracy Townsend nominated Burns with a second from Mackie, and the council voted unanimously for her to serve in that capacity, allowing her to fulfill any of the mayor's powers and duties in his absence, according to N.C. General Statute 160A-70.

The council acted on a recommendation of the fire committee brought by Townsend to purchase a fire truck for the town. The Granite Falls Fire Department is in need of a ladder truck to replace the one it has now, a 1974 American LaFrance. The council voted to purchase a 1993 75-foot quint from Philadelphia at a cost of $235,000.

"We needed a new one and had the option to purchase this one," Kirby said.

The council also recognized a number of people for their service to the town. Jim Green was recognized for four years of service as a councilman, and the N.C. League of Municipalities adopted resolutions honoring the following retirees: Linda Story (town manager, 39.5 years of service); Judy Mackie (town and payroll clerk, 29.5 years); Brende Poe (finance officer, 29 years); and Billy Brown (electric supervisor, 25.5 years).

Story was the only retiree present and was given a plaque and rocking chair by the council to recognize her service to the town. The other retirees had been recognized during previous meetings.

Members adopted a resolution in support of the National Park Service locating its new Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail headquarters and visitors center near Quaker Meadows in Morganton. Locating the headquarters there would provide convenient access to other communities and trail segments in Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina. The $2-3 million facility would bring national recognition and attract visitors to the region while supporting economic development efforts to expand heritage tourism as a regional growth industry. Other sites being considered include Blacksburg, S.C., Marion, N.C., Gaffney S.C., and Elizabethton, Tenn.

In other matters, council members:

* approved signatory authority for Mayor Hayes and Town Manager Jerry Church along with Michelle Harbison and Michelle Coffey for Bank of Granite, First Citizens Bank, Parkway Bank and RBC Centura.

* discussed the success of events in the town, including Festival on the Square, Day of Caring, the annual Christmas parade and the History and Transportation museum open house.

* received an update from Church that the new code of ordinances will be presented for final approval once final revisions have been made.

* learned that the N.C. Department of Transportation board placed the MDI road project on the board agenda. It must be on the NCDOT board agenda for 30 days before final approval, which could occur at either the December 2009 or January 2010 board meeting. The approved project is subject to a 12-week review period, which could lead to bid letting around mid-May. Moving forward, there is no more involvement by any local governments, including Granite Falls.

* cancelled the Dec. 15 meeting. The next meeting of the council will be Jan. 4, 2010, at 6 p.m.