From left, Town Recorder Chris Stroech stands beside Town Council members Linus Bicker, Marty Amerikaner, Shannon Thomas, Marcy Bartlett and Cheryl Roberts, after being sworn into office at Town Hall on Thursday. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The new Town Council members and Town Recorder of the Corporation of Shepherdstown were sworn into office at Town Hall on Thursday afternoon.

While the moment marked the end of an era, with the replacement of some longstanding Town Council members and a mayor of 20 years, the excitement for this new phase in leadership was palpable. Not one seat was left empty in the seats set up for audience members in the council room.

“I’ve been on the Town Council for eight years, and we didn’t have an audience like this in the past,” said Cheryl Roberts, after the ceremony. “Maybe there would be a couple of people, but it was never like this. It makes it seem like there’s an increase in involvement among our local residents. Now, I just hope some of those same people come to our monthly meetings.”

Those being sworn in for the first time seemed particularly delighted by the experience.

“It’s exciting and intimidating at the same time, because it’s a big job!” said new Town Council member Shannon Thomas. “It’s such a great town. It’s going to be exciting to, hopefully, be a positive force here. There’s a lot of important stuff happening in the area, with the growth outside from county. There’s a lot going on, so I think we’re going to have a lot of work in front of us! I’ve served in the military, but I’ve never been in public office before, so it will be really neat to give back to the community in a whole different way.”

New Town Council member Marcy Bartlett completely agreed with her.

“We have big expectations,” Bartlett said. “Two years is not a lot of time — there’s a lot to do in that time!”

Linus Bicker, who was also sworn into office for the first time, noted there is one item on the top of his “to-do list” for his upcoming term.

“When I was canvassing and knocking on doors, throughout the campaign, I noticed one vulnerability — there’s no safe pedestrian connectivity from Shepherdstown to Sage Place,” Bicker said, referring to a small development on the outskirts of town. “I’m so honored to be a member of the Town Council! It will be great, to be able to collaborate with the rest of the team to see our ideas come to fruition.”

Now entering his third term on the Town Council, Marty Amerikaner said he was excited to see what would be brought to the table by this new leadership.

“I’m looking forward to it! We have a really great group of experienced and enthusiastic people, with different opinions, experience and ideas,” Amerikaner said. “I’m looking forward to tackling some of the issues that need tackling.”

Mayor James Gatz was sworn into his first term in office at an earlier date, due to a preplanned trip.