By Gregory Childress

gchildress@heraldsun.com; 419-6645

Chapel Hill -- Flanked by friends and family and basking in the warm glow of cheers from supporters who filled town hall to near capacity, Chapel Hill's new mayor and four newly elected council members took their oaths of office Monday with each pledging to work hard to keep the town moving forward on a progressive trajectory.

Taking the oath were Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt, a former councilman, incumbents Ed Harrison and Laurin Easthom and newcomers Gene Pease and Penny Rich.

Jim Ward was also chosen to serve a second-term as mayor pro tem.

Kleinschmidt, who said the town has become a national model for smart growth, environmental protection, town-gown relations, social inclusion and public transportation, pledged to live up to the trust citizens have bestowed on him.

"I plan on paying you back with good service that listens to you," Kleinschmidt said.

Kleinschmidt replaced four-term mayor Kevin Foy, who did not seek re-election.

Foy who was unable to attend the ceremony due to illness, but did send a letter that was read by mayoral aide Carlo Robustelli.

"We have managed a delicate balancing act of growing and changing while remaining true to our core values," Foy wrote. "We respect the environment, we encourage diversity and we celebrate education. I am confident that this new council and new mayor -- with the backing of our citizens -- will continue in this tradition "

The oath of office was administered by retired Judge Pat Devine of Judicial District 15B.

The council also adopted resolutions thanking Foy, council member Jim Merritt, who lost his election bid to the seat he was appointed to a year ago, and former council member council member Bill Strom, whose controversial resignation in August angered some residents because its timing prevented citizens from electing his replacement in November.

The newly constituted council will take up the matter of Strom's replacement Wednesday when it hears presentations from applicants seeking to fill the vacancy created by the controversial departure of former councilman Bill Strom.

The council will hear from the 10 applicants vying for the vacancy. It could name Strom's replacement as early as Dec. 14.

The applicants include Jon DeHart, Will Raymond and Matt Polhman, all of whom sought election to the council in the Nov. 3 municipal election.

Polhman finished fifth in the race for four council seats, and some residents have petitioned the council to appoint the fifth place-finisher to the post.

The others vying for appointment to the Strom vacancy include H. Brock Page, Joe Capowski, Joshua Ravitch, Donna Bell, Lee Pavao, Aaron Shah and Jason Baker.

Pease and Rich had also thrown their hats into the ring, but were elected to office.

Merritt, who finished sixth in the race, decided against applying for the appointment.