Carrboro Board of Aldermen, mayor sworn in

Michelle Johnson’s membership on the Carrboro Board of Aldermen became official Tuesday night as she was sworn in in front of family and friends.

“My mother and grandmother both came into town to see me sworn in, which is really exciting,” she said.

Retiring Alderman Joal Hall Broun, who has served on the board since 1999, was also recognized for her contributions to the community.

“My season has come to an end,” she said. “I have enjoyed my time in the ‘Paris of the Piedmont.’”

Broun said being an alderman has been a privilege.

She is most proud of her involvement in the development of Carrboro’s fire station number 2 and the purchases of a nature preservation property and the Adams Tract, a wilderness trail.

Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton and incumbents Lydia Lavelle and Dan Coleman were also sworn in at the meeting.

“I look forward to working with all of you to continue to build this wonderful community,” Lavelle said.

Coleman, who was approved as mayor pro tempore, said he was thankful to his supporters for returning him to office.

Chilton has been involved in town government since he was 21, when he was elected to the Chapel Hill Town Council.

“It’s just over 20 years ago today that I was first sworn in as an elected official,” he said. “I want to say thank you to everyone who has given me the opportunity to serve.”

Johnson said though she was just sworn in, her work as an alderman has already begun.

One of her first tasks has been participating in the process of finding a new town manager.

Carrboro has been searching for a town manager since Steve Stewart retired Aug. 1. Former Assistant Town Manager Matt Efird has been working as the town’s interim town manager.

Johnson said the town manager is an integral figure in town government, so choosing a manager for Carrboro is an important part of her role as an alderman.

“That might be one of the biggest decisions I’ll ever have to make during my term,” she said.

Johnson said one of her major goals during her first term will be to increase resident engagement with town government.

“I’d like to work on a more open and transparent process for citizens to get information,” she said. “Sometimes I feel like people don’t think about local government until there’s something going on.”

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