By Steve Pendleton
The Wardensville Town Council met in regular session on Monday, May 5th. Present was Mayor Betsy Orndnoff-Sayers; Council members Charlotte Bowman, Serena Kay Cline, Michael Funkhouser, Ed Klinovski, and Jackie McGuiness; Erich Atkinson, Public Works Supervisor, and office staff Connie Miller.
The meeting opened with prayer and Allegiance to the Flag.
The meeting opened with the approval of minutes of the April 2025 session.
Mayor’s Report
I am pleased to report that we have received notification from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) that our grant application for the Ready Appalachia program has been selected to receive $50,000. Those funds will be used to cover grant administration fees for the cafeteria renovation project. The architect has completed the measured drawings for that space. In the next step, we will meet with ARC staff and plan for a community input meeting.
Three applications have been submitted for Congressional spending requests. Senator Shelley Moore–Capito requested funding for the cafeteria roof replacement ($300,000) and monies from the Byrne Grant for solar cameras and traffic calming signs ($138,800). Senator Jim Justice and Moore-Capito asked for funding to support the Trout Run Sewer Project and lift station replacement ($4,067,000).
Echo Valley Sandblasting continues to detail and trim the basketball backstops. Roger Holiday is making progress on the concrete pad. We are shooting for the end of June to reopen the upper level of the park. Benches and trash receptacles need to be installed, and stone applied to the transition areas. The town is waiting for a quote from Triad Engineering in Winchester for the compaction test for the pool demo. Wardensville has yet to receive reimbursement for the LWCF (Land Water Conservation Fund) Invoice #3.
The last payment arrived in March. Work on the water and sewer project continues. A valve broke off on Carpenter Avenue. Leaks continue to surface. Erich Atkinson and Ed Klinovski quickly identify and fix the leaks, then get water samples to the lab to be tested.
Indoor pickleball equipment has been ordered. The equipment is being purchased with grant funds from the Hardy County Community Foundation for two projects. David Brill donated two rolling containers where equipment will be stored. Rolling metal shelving was ordered and assembled for use in the storage area. The wider metal shelving will replace the dilapidated shelving that is in use.
The Administrative Clerk position has been readvertised. We will review new applications and schedule interviews for later this month. The Community Clean-up went well, and the sidewalks look lovely. A shout out to the Youth Giving Committee and The Farms Work Wonders team for their hard work. A shout out to the Town of Moorefield Public Works teams for sweeping our Main St. The new banners are up and look Great! Many thanks to the Hardy County Chamber of Commerce for funding the banners, Hardy Telecommunications and Farms Work Wonders staff for the installation, and Town of Wardensville’s staff for providing road signage. Collaboration makes a difference in our community. The Lion’s Club annual Easter Egg Hunt was well attended. Quartets on Parade was held over the weekend. The West Virginia Division of Highways will meet with Town staff later this month to discuss a walking map for the town (Corridor H).
Public Works Report
Atkinson said he has received calls from a couple of residents concerned about cloudy water. This happens now and then with new water lines and is resolved by flushing the toilet and letting the water run while. The town agreed to subtract 100 gallons of usage from the residents’ next bill. During the installation of the new water system, it was discovered that corporation stops were not present on all of the lines. This is a special type of shutoff valve installed on a water main when new lines are being laid to prevent disruption in water pressure. Atkinson said that the latest water lines are now in place on Carpenter Avenue, and Royal Oak Drive. The next locations scheduled for installation are Industrial Boulevard and the area around the town garage.
The water boy at the town park with a credit card option was expected to be in operation by now. However, the company that installed the new unit inserted the wrong panel for the card. The cost to remedy the mistake is $4,000 but the company is balking at even sharing the cost. Negotiation has not resulted in progress and litigation could take months. Considering the value of the water boy, the town may ultimately have to eat the cost. Usage is limited to people for drinking water and livestock. It cannot be used to fill swimming pools.
Unfinished Business
Council approved by unanimous voice vote the eighth financial drawdowns to pay for the water and sewer projects. The money will later be restored to the town budget following reimbursement from the federal government.
New Business
The town received a letter from the Attorney General of West Virginia indicating that a $5,000 check will be forthcoming as part of the state’s settlement in the Lipitor drug case. The lawsuit alleged that drug manufacturer Pfizer failed to warn consumers of dangerous side effects. Litigants in the case included multiple states which agreed to a $35 million settlement. Payouts to communities are based on population size. Council approved Resolution 2025-18 to include a $1,000 insurance payment into the town general fund that was received due to a damaged gas tank. The money must be included in the FY2025 budget. This revision had to approved before the beginning of June, the last month of fiscal year.
The ARC awarded $50,000 to the town via an Ready Applachia Award that will go toward construction at the old school cafeteria. As a condition, the opening of a separate account must be approved by the town council. Following a motion and second, consent was given to establish the account at Capon Valley Bank. At the request of R&K Engineering firm, which will build the new sewer lines, Wardensville signed an agreement to recognize them as a potential contractor to install the upcoming sewer line extension on Trout Run Road. Omni Architects will hold a Zoom Meeting with the town to go over plans for the old cafeteria which will include childcare space, mechanical room, and a pre-school classroom. The Hardy County Board of Education will also sit in on the call.
A 250 foot long, six-foot-tall chain link fence will be installed at the town park between the wooden fence and the pool house.
Council went into executive session at 7:35 p.m. The council meeting was adjourned immediately following the conclusion of that session. The next meeting of the Wardensville Town Council is scheduled for Monday, June 10 th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Visitors Center. The public is invited to attend.
