CAMBRIDGE – Members of the current Dorchester County Council were sworn into office on Dec. 4. Newly elected Libby Nagel (District 5), Lenny Pfeffer (District 4) and Jay Newcomb (District 1) took their places alongside re-elected Ricky Travers (District 3) and William Nichols (District 2). The board’s first order of business was to elect its own leaders. Mr. Nichols was chosen as president in one vote. “Mr. Nichols is the unanimous president of the council,” County Attorney Thomas Merryweather said after collecting the ballots. Mr. Newcomb was chosen as vice president, also in a unanimous, first-ballot vote. Both choices received enthusiastic applause from the overflow audience. Previous president Mr. Travers embraced and congratulated Mr. Nichols as they switched seats. “It’s time to move ahead after the elections,” Mr. Nichols said, noting that the November vote was his seventh campaign. All five took their oaths of office from Clerk of Court Amy Craig. Each member was accompanied by members of his or her family. “I hope to the best of my ability to represent you,” Ms. Nagel said. Mr. Pfeffer acknowledged former District 4 council member Rick Price, who was in the audience. “Thank you, sir, for your 12 years of service,” he said. “I’m looking forward to keeping the county moving forward,” Mr. Travers said. Mr. Newcomb thanked his mother for attending, saying, “She turned 89” recently. “I’m blessed to be here, considering my health issues,” he said. Mr. Nichols expressed his gratitude to the several former members of the board who attended the ceremony, saying, “They sacrificed so much.” “We were elected to get something done. If we keep our faith and keep moving forward, we’ll make it,” Mr. Nichols said. “We’re going to try to do our best.”