By Steve Pendleton
The Wardensville Town Council convened in regular session on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the Visitor’s Center. Present were Mayor Besty Orndoff-Sayers; Council members Greg Alderman, Charlotte Bowman, Serena Kay Cline, Michael Funkhouser, Ed Klinovski, and Jackie McGuiness; Erich Atkinson, Public Works Supervisor; Billy Smith, Capon Valley Volunteer Fire Department; Lisa Twigg, Wardensville Volunteer Rescue Squad.
The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Minutes from the August 11th meeting was approved. The council consented for the town’s August bills to be paid.
Community advocate Tonie Harvey donated $10,000 to Wardensville to be awarded to the Capon Valley Volunteer Fire Department and the Wardensville Volunteer Rescue Squad. Billy Smith of the CVVFD was on hand to accept a $5,000 check. Lisa Twigg with the WVRS accepted also accepted a check for $5,000.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor’s Report – September 8, 2025
The Waterboy was operational for a brief period. Staff received system training, and the trial was successful. However, soon after, the unit failed to deliver the paid amount of water to customers. In some cases, people were getting 200 or 250 gallons of water instead of 300.
Our West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Dilapidated Building grant has been amended to cover the cost of removing the storage shed at the Town Park. The grant award totaled $39,726.
We received notification from the Office of Culture and History that the Creative Aging for Lifelong Learning (CALL) funding has been approved for FY 2025-2026.
The Community Potluck had a nice turnout. Marinas did a great job with the pulled pork and coleslaw. Twenty-two people attended and there were several suggestions made to be considered with the cafeteria project.
The Glass House, a florist and antique shop opened in the former Lost River Trading Post Realty/Pendleton Bank building next to the Dakota Glass Blowing Shop. The KacKaPon Restaurant is under contract with potential new owner Emily Boserman.
Jason Smith (J & K Landscaping) continues to prep the ground to install the river rock between the new courts and the sidewalk. Accessing the river rock is causing delays. There is asphalt that still needs to be taken up and removed beside the old pool. Playground equipment and fiberglass sculptures have been ordered. The Caterpillar bells will arrive around mid-September. Roger Holiday has finished the swingola pad and will be installing the pads for the various structures. We may want to consider installing a second pavilion instead of the swingola. Roger has formed up sidewalks to the new pavilion.
John McGarrity, WV Office of Economic Development has confirmed that Land and Water Conservation Funding project #1 is in the process of being closed out. I informed him that we are installing the additional gate that he wanted at our expense. Ads have been posted to demolish the pool and the installation of the splash pad.
The contractors are moving along as the water and sewer project work continues. Workers preparing space for the new water tank pad on Anderson Ridge have encountered some very hard stone to break up. J.F. Allen completed the paving of Oak Street, Mulberry Street, and Sassafras Street. The new roadways are a delight. We may want to consider making Oak Street one way as we discussed when we did the paving on Redbud and Barley Lanes.
Public Works Report
Supervisor Erich Atkinson said that the foundation for the new sewage plant building was readied on Monday, September 8th. The malfunctioning of the Waterboy will be looked at by the Frank Miller Company on Wednesday, September 9th. On the same day, a generator startup will be installed at the new water plant. On Thursday, September 10th, a new grinder pump will be in place. Also on that Thursday, Allen Marchum will test all town fire hydrants. The work on Anderson Ridge to prepare a spot for the new water tank is temporarily halted after extremely hard rock was encountered. A specific elevation must be set for the concrete pad that the tank will sit on. New pumps were installed at the lagoon.
Unfinished Business
Resolutions 2025-29 and 2025-30 were passed unanimously by roll call vote to approve funding drawdowns for the water (#12) and sewage (#11) projects. The town continues to watch for a letter to arrive from the United States Department of Agriculture that will sanction construction bids to advertised for work on the old cafeteria project. The letter has been anticipated for months, as previously reported. The USDA has yet to explain the delay. The Appalachian Regional Commission awarded a $50,000 grant to help cover costs for the cafeteria building.
New Business
Halloween will be observed on Friday, October 31st. Trick or Treat hours will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
The Council went into executive session at 7:35 p.m. After all matters were discussed, the meeting was adjourned. The regular meeting of the Wardensville Town Council is scheduled for Monday, October 14th beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Visitors Center.
