COAL GROVE — At its first meeting of the New Year, the mayor and two new council members raised their right hands and promised to serve the Village of Coal Grove “faithfully, honestly and impartially” as they were sworn in to their seats Tuesday evening.

The two council seats previously held by Nick Miller and Randy Wise, who did not run for reelection in November, were filled by Chris Brammer and Tim Sexton.

Brammer previously held a council seat from 2006 to 2009. This is Sexton’s first term as councilman. He is also a former Lawrence County Sheriff and is currently on the county’s Drug-Major Crimes Task Force.

Larry McDaniel was sworn in for his third term as mayor. He beat out opponent Phillip Roush earning more than 80 percent of votes.

Council member Juelda Collins was unanimously appointed mayor pro tem, a position previously held by member Aaron Stewart.

“I did it for two years … I think you’d do a great job,” Stewart told Collins.

During council’s organizational meeting, the regular monthly meeting times were changed to 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month.

Council also accepted the volunteer fire department’s 14-member roster and the police department’s roster of 11 officers and 3 auxiliary officers.

Council was also asked to accept the current police fines for 2012.

Collins asked that the littering fine of $100 be raised to the maximum $150 to deter people from continuing to litter in the village.

During the regular meeting that followed, Fire Chief Gary Sherman and Police Chief Eric Spurlock gave reports for 2011.

Sherman reported that the fire department had a total of 100 runs inside the village limits and 87 runs outside the village limits due to mutual aid calls.

He also reported that the department would be covering all vehicle accidents on State Highway 52 to make sure village police officers were protected.

Spurlock reported a total of 131 vehicle accidents, 242 reports, 107 vehicles towed and 1,701 tickets for 2011.

In other business of the village:

• Councilman Bob Markins reported to council that villagers had complained that street signs were missing and EMS responders where having a difficult time finding residences. Sexton suggested the police department ride around and make a list of the missing signs.

• Spurlock requested an executive session for a complaint against a public official. No action was taken after the executive session.

• Steve Patton, vice-president of the AFSCME Sub Local 771A, requested contract negotiations. After an executive session with Patton, council passed a motion to postpone a third reading of ordinance 14-11 entering into a six month contract extension with AFSCME Sub Local 771A giving a 3 percent wage increase.

The next council meeting will be Monday, Jan. 23.