ZIONSVILLE, Ind. (AP) _ A town in the Indianapolis area is set to elect its first mayor after a ruling in its favor by an appeals court.

The Indiana Court of Appeals said Tuesday that Zionsville can create the mayoral position and absorb a township of about 1,000 residents. The Indianapolis Star (http://indy.st/1AK6c4V ) reports town leaders want a full-time mayor to advance interests while not taking on added burdens of becoming a city.

The ruling overturns one in October by a Boone County judge against Zionsville. The nearby town of Whitestown had filed a lawsuit saying the reorganization plan was in violation of state laws regarding towns and townships.

Zionsville Town Council President Jeff Papa was sworn in Tuesday as acting mayor. Municipal elections are set for November.