POWELLSVILLE – For the first time in nearly four years, the town of Powellsville has a new town clerk.

Thelma P. Godwin accepted the position and began her duties back in October.

Godwin previously worked for Waters and Waters Construction.

The Powellsville clerk’s post had been vacant since the resignation of long-time town clerk Barbara Warren back in 2012.

“We feel (Thelma) is doing an outstanding job,” said Powellsville Town Commissioner Carlyle Hoggard. “We couldn’t have hired her at a better time.”

In addition to the clerk’s vacancy, an investigation continues into the town’s former mayor Thomas Asbell, who was asked to resign his post back in August under the cloud of an SBI probe and inquiries by the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office. The resignation came after a unanimous vote of the Town Board that included Hoggard, James Peele and Joseph T. Watford. Peele is currently serving as mayor pro tem.

“We are very supportive of Mrs. Godwin during this transition,” Hoggard added, “and we want to welcome her to the staff.”

Hoggard also announced the Town Hall’s new office hours of operation: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“We are maintaining services, progressing, and moving forward,” Hoggard insisted.