By Steve Pendleton
The Wardensville Town Council met in regular session on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the Visitors Center. Present were Mayor Betsy Orndoff-Sayers, Council members Greg Alderman, Charlotte Bowman, Serena Kay Cline, Michael Funkhouser, and Jackie McGuiness. The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes from the meeting of October 8, 2024 were revised and approved. Town Council recognized the 50th anniversary of services by the Wardensville Volunteer Rescue Squad. EMT Becky Fischel was present to receive a contribution from the town.
Mayor’s Report
The election is over and we will be working with many of the same folks that we have in the past. There was a large turnout at both polling places in town. Many people took advantage of the early voting option at the CourtHouse. The rubber membrane roof on section one of the community center was replaced by Anderson Roofing. Wardensville paid the bill and will submit an invoice to Region 8 for reimbursement when the project is closed. An environmental report must be approved before moving forward toward closure. The town held an optional pre-bid for demolition of the old cafeteria building from funds in the Dilapidated Building grant. Jason Smith was consulted for a quote concerning paver work and edging around the We Remember Veterans Memorial. A request was submitted for a quote to remove several dead trees at the park. The park has been closed to the public due to the construction work on the property for the sewer project. The fence around the tennis and pickleball courts is finished with McGrane Fence being paid in full. The town met with a few concrete installers for the building of two sidewalks at the park. One design is 4 feet wide and runs from the pedestrian bridge to the basketball court . The second walk will be an eight feet wide walk that will double as a drive to the pool house. Two honor benches will be installed by Erich Atkinson and Ed Klivnokski in recognition of park supporters Carolyn Barr and Alvin Smith. Barr is the former president of the Capon Bank Park Volunteer program. Smith is known for giving swimming lessons in the creek before the town pool opened. Staff continued to find and repair water leaks during October. The assistance of Bobby Jenks and his workers were needed to make the repair on Mulberry Lane. Wardensville is in a holding pattern with the West Virginia Department of Energy on the energy grant. A zoom meeting about the project scheduled for November 7th was canceled. Barbara and Linwood Rye have not been able to open the Visitor’s Center due to the lack of heat. The Ryes operate the Senior Employment Program that provides minimum wage jobs for older citizens. Karen Findley donated a nice looking railroad crossing sign for the town train display. The Lion’s Club asked the town to sponsor the Christmas Decoration Contest as was done in 2024. This family event is a great opportunity to meet with community members. The mayor would like for the council to have a table at the event as there were many positive responses by visitors who stopped by the booth last year. Trick or Treat and Trunk or Treat were very well attended. WordPlay had a long line of participants waiting to receive a signed book by the author, Joe McGee. Red & Cookie’s Big Breakfast Event will be held on Saturday, November 9th at the Methodist Church from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.. All donations will benefit Katie’s Comfort House. The Methodist Church will have a tree lighting memorial service. Loved ones will be recognized for a $5 donation.
Public Work Report
Supervisor Erich Atkinson was unable to attend the meeting. Orndoff-Sayers reported that for the first time in ages, there are no current water leaks to report.
Unfinished Business
Following a motion and second, a revision to Resolution 2024-15 for payment on the sewer project was approved. The full resolution was subsequently passed. Senior art classes in the Creative Aging for Lifelong Learning (CALL) program will begin in January 2025.
New Business
Council approved a request from the Wardensville Lions Club for a $100 donation for Christmas gifts to needy citizens.
General Information
The Lions Club will host the Christmas Joy event on Saturday, December 7th at the Fireman’s lot beginning at 4:00 p.m. Free coffee, cocoa, hot dogs, cookies and other treats will be free to the public. Wardensville was recognized by the West Virginia Municipal League as a 2024 Community All-Star. The town received a plaque with the inscription “In Recognition of Exceptional Performance and Innovative Contributions to Municipal Government”. With all business being addressed, a motion and second to adjourn was approved. The next town council meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 9th beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Visitors Center. The meeting will be moved to the town library in the event heat in the Visitors Center has not been restored.
