By Steve Pendleton
The Wardensville Town Council convened in regular session on Monday, February 9, 2026, at the Visitor’s Center. Present were Mayor Besty Orndoff-Sayers; Council members Charlotte Bowman, Serena Kay Cline, Michael Funkhouser, Ed Klinovski, Erich Atkinson, Public Works Supervisor; Connie Miller, office staff.
The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council approved the minutes from the meeting of December 8, 2025, and the payment of bills.
The meeting began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council approved minutes from the January meeting and authorized bills to be paid.
After Betsy Orndoff-Sayer opened the floor for public comments, Courtney Malone expressed opposition to comments being disallowed on the town’s Facebook page. The elimination of comments began in October after a pattern of inappropriate, non-productive messages were posted. Ms. Malone indicated that she would continue to protest the decision until comments were again permitted on the site. The mayor noted that citizens may call or drop by the town office to express their concerns.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor’s Report – February 9, 2026 # 3
The community remains on a Boil Water notice. We have requested a hearing with the WV Bureau of Public Health to request the lifting of the Boil Water Notice. The boil water is a precautionary warning. We have filed a response to the Public Service Commission regarding Shanna Miller’s filing of a formal complaint. We are in the process of responding the news.
Sanitary Survey’s Significant Finding. I would like to point out that our previous Sanitary Surveys did not show these findings. The bulk of the findings have to do with the operation of a filtration plant.
We do not have a filtration plant, nor are we installing one at this time.
Birds, Bugs, Blooms More: A Watercolor Sketchbook is the name of our first CALL art class for 2026. Kristin Colebank is the instructor and the class if filling up.
We received a termite inspection image showing the damaged areas in the cafeteria from Larry Smith with Extreme Pest Control. The report showed substantial termite damage. The architect noted that the brick veneer was not installed properly and that the issue with the roof that we are at the point that the building would cost more to rehabilitate, than building a new structure.
FEMA has requested additional information on the parking lot grant. We are working with the grant writer to respond to their questions.
Connie Miller, Holly Lockhart, John Sayers and myself attended the Auditor’s Budget Training in Martinsburg in preparation of compiling the 26-27 Budget.
Staff are in the process of gathering information for the upcoming single audit in February. Ferrari & Associates will be here on February 19Th & 20th to do our audit.
Class II legal ads have been placed with the Moorefield Examiner for the for the pool demo and pool house renovation ads. The pre-bid for the pool demo and the pool house upgrade was held on February 4th.
We had 4 companies to attend the pool demo and 2 companies to attend for the upgrade. Bids are due Thursday, February 12th by 10 am.
I have been asked to participate in the WV Arts in Our Communities Conference in Charleston.
I will be part of a panel on the Creative Aging for Lifelong Learning program.
The filing period for our Municipal Election coming up in May closed on January 31st. Charlotte Bowman and Edward Kilnovski are running for the 2 Council seats and I am running for Mayor.
We received a lovely thank you card from the Wardensville Lion’s Club thanking us for our participation in Christmas Joy.
Public Works Report
Mr. Atkinson reported that two water pumps at the Pine Street station were so damaged by disposable wipes that it cost the town $8,000 to replace both of them. The town has pleaded with residents not to flush these items. This blatant disregard for civic property has once again cost citizens thousands of dollars (see photograph). A new generator for the lagoon arrived. Crews installed the electrical system today. The generator cost $3,500. The new water plant start up has some issues. A new electrical box has been ordered to fix the problem. Councilman Greg Alderman notified Mr. Atkinson that the concrete around the drain at Carpenter and Main has begun falling apart. The Division of Highways has been contacted to make repairs. Councilman Ed Klinovski mentioned that he received text messages from two people indicating that the water boy was recently unusable. The screen had frozen due to extreme temperatures. The company will install a heater to prevent future incidents.
Unfinished Business
Council passed Resolutions 2026-03 and 2026-04 to draw down reimbursements for the new water and sewage treatment system. Wardensville continues to wait on an approval letter of intent from the United States Department of Agriculture for future funding. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is working with the town on the funding of the pool demo project. The pool is being filled with stone and other items. LCWF will not require compaction tests after the fill is completed. Twelve inches of topsoil will cover the fill with grass being sown over the area. A splash pad will be installed on that spot.
The results of a termite inspection on the old cafeteria building by Larry Smith have radically changed plan for the renovation project. Mr. Smith consulted an architect who determined that cost to repair the damage would be commensurate with brand new construction. It was recommended that the building be razed to the foundation. The mayor has proposed to construct three separate smaller buildings with separate entrances that can be linked to serve the purpose of the original renovation which includes a childcare center, fitness center, and public meeting space. USDA bonds are one option but those are quite expensive in the end. A motion made and seconded that the design and construction must be within the town budget was passed by Council.
RK & K has a contract with Wardensville to monitor the new water system pumps during the construction of Corridor H around the town. The contract is set for five years plus two years afterward. With concern that highway construction may delayed, Council voted to extend the contract an additional two years.
New Business
Council approved the Mayor’s request to sign documents for the installation of well #5, which will be paid for the by WVDOH. The state committed $1,000,000 for the project. Two bids were submitted with the lowest being $920,000 and the highest, $970,000. Council also sanctioned the posting to engage the lowest bid by a contractor for the pool demo and pool house project.
On first reading was Ordinance 26-01, a request to adopt the State building code and to update town building code. A motion and second was approved.
Last year Wardensville donated $500 each to East Hardy High School and East Hardy Elementary in support of the Music in Schools project. WELD manager Chip Combs reached out to the town to offer a free radio spot in return for another donation to that program. After discussion, Council authorized a $600 donation to both schools.
Announcements
A Girl Scout cookie sale is set for Sunday, February 8th from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Community Center, ballfield side.
At the conclusion of regular business, the Council entered into an executive session. The meeting was adjourned following the session. The next meeting of the Wardensville Town Council is scheduled for Monday, March 9, 2026, in the Visitors Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.
