Thorsby’s Town Council on Monday approved the transition of a part-time employee in the Public Works Department to full-time.

Public Works Director Terry Jackson told the council at a regular meeting that Houston Morris already performs several tasks for the department in his current role and recommended the move to fill one of two openings in the department.

Morris, whose current pay rate is $8.50 per hour, will make $9.50 per hour during a 90-day probationary period, then the rate will increase to $10 an hour.

Council members present voted unanimously in favor of the move.

Councilman Randall Higgins was absent from the meeting.

In other business, the council:

•Took no action on a proposed lump sum payment to town retirees. The payments would have gone to the six living town retirees plus beneficiaries of deceased retirees. The total cost to the town would have been $2,450, according to Town Clerk Crystal Smith. The council has not adopted such proposals in the past. The measure died for the lack of a motion.

•Was presented a proposal franchise agreement with Century Link, which operates on town rights-of-way. Smith asked council members to review the proposal in preparation to take action at the next meeting.

•Approved the minutes from the July 20 meeting.

•Approved the payment of bills with the appropriate transfer of funds.