After more than a month without an appointed mayor, the City of Newton took a step forward Monday night with the swearing in of 2nd Ward councilman Mike Hansen as mayor during the Nov. 5 city council meeting.

Hansen was the lone applicant for the position, which was decided by city council appointment, and had served as Newton’s mayor pro tem following Chaz Allen’s resignation in September.

The council unanimously passed a resolution appointing councilor Steve Mullan as mayor pro tem to preside over Hansen’s appointment as mayor.