By Steve Pendleton
The Wardensville Town Council convened in regular session on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Visitor’s Center. Present were Mayor Besty Orndoff-Sayers; Council members Charlotte Bowman, Serena Kay Cline, Michael Funkhouser, Ed Klinovski, and Jackie McGuiness; Erich Atkinson, Public Works Supervisor; Anthony Ross, Alex Yeater.
The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Guest Presentations
Anthony Ross representing the House of Grace, talked to the council about a newly established nonprofit organization born from faith, compassion, and a calling to serve those facing life’s hardest trials. Ross said that the group offers temporary shelter up to 21 days for people who are in transition from addiction. It gives them a safe place to stabilize, seek employment, access support services, and take the first steps to rebuild their lives. The program also serves homeless citizens who are unemployed. Ross asked the town to send a letter of support to the West Virginia First Foundation to help the House of Grace to receive grant funds. He also plans to solicit support from businesses. The council agreed to recommend a grant for the organization by letter.
Local Boy Scout Alex Yeater informed the council that he is working to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Among the tasks to fulfill requirements, he plans to set up a bench in town park, install safety edging around swing sets, and kick mats under the seats. Yeater is currently a Life Scout and member of Troop 81.
Mayor’s Report
The West Virginia Environmental Protection Agency Dilapidated Building grant has been closed out. I’m pleased to report that we were able to receive 100% funding for the VFW and removal of the former doctor’s office. The” no match” required grant is a huge cost savings and will be a great help to the VFW as they are working on several upgrades to their facility. The VFW originally agreed to match up to $10,000 towards the project.
I’m pleased to report that we have a new business opening in the community. The Glass House, a florist and antique shop, is opening in the former Lost River Trading Post Realty/Pendleton Bank building next to the Dakota Glass Blowing Shop. Michelle Crites shared that the permitting process for starting a business in the town was very straightforward and easy to do. The KacKaPon restaurant is in the process of being purchased by Emily Bauserman. Emily plans to have the business open on a regular schedule.
Councilor Bowman and I attended the West Virginia Municipal League Annual Conference in Morgantown the week of August 4th. The conference was very informative and provided a great opportunity to network with other municipalities around the state. The highlight of the conference was visiting Hazel’s Hope of Hope. Hazel’s House is a one stop service center for individuals in crisis. It is housed in the former Ramada located on Scott’s Avenue. They have a recovery program, homeless shelter, feeding site,
warming/cooling site, & childcare assistance. Our visit to Hazel’s House made the front page of the Dominion Post.
The Camp Hemlock Service Week Campers did a fantastic job repainting the green tire dragon at the park. They also dug the trench line to install the playground safety border around the climbing playground area at the park. Anthony Orndorff is working to complete the project. Jason Smith is removing the asphalt piles at the park. The piles are about 85% removed and the remainder will be gone next week. Shawnee Structures installed the new pavilion on the upper level of the park. The pavilion looks incredible. Jason Smith is prepping the ground to install river rock between the new courts and the sidewalk. The ground around the new pavilion has been sloped and graded.
We submitted the final draw (#5) to close out the the Land Water Conservation Fund Project #1. I have received an email from LWCF manager John McGarrity saying we did not install gates as listed in our contract. I believe he has mistaken the meaning for “gates”. The fencing around the tennis/pickleball courts included 2 gates. If there is an issue, we have gates that were purchased earlier this year and will work with a company to get them installed. I will follow-up next month on the outcome.
We are working on the ads to demo the pool and installation of the splash pad. An engineering firm has been located that can provide the compaction test that is being asked for.
Water and Sewer projects work continues. The contractors are moving along. Work has begun on preparing the site for the new tank pad. JF Allen has done a skim coat on Oak Street, Mulberry Street, and Sassafras Street in preparation for the asphalt overlay.
Public Works Report
Supervisor Erich Atkinson said that the pump in the lift station at Pine Street needed to be replaced. The pump cost $2,500 with an additional $1,500 for installation. He purchased sludge bugs which eat algae at the lagoon. Green Pro was added as a supplement to the bugs. The 100-gallon Anderson Ridge water tank has been razed. A new tank holding 300 gallons will take its place. Anthony Orndoff mowed and has cut weeds in the park on a volunteer basis.
Unfinished Business
Resolutions 2025-27 and 2025-28 were passed unanimously by roll call vote to approve funding drawdowns for the water and sewage projects. The town is waiting on a letter from the United States Department of Agriculture that will authorize work on the cafeteria project to begin. This has been months in the making. Wardensville will host a community input meeting on Sunday, September 7th at the War Memorial building. BBQ and Coleslaw will be provided free of charge. Attendees are encouraged to bring a covered dish. The starting time will be announced later.
New Business
Town Planning Committee chair John Sayre presented an overview of the draft Zoning Map and Ordinance.
Map Revision
- Will focus on business and Main Street
- All other parts of town off Main Street to be residential
- Reduce number of zones from four to three zones
- Residential zones have more restrictions to keep neighborhoods non-commercial
- Zones were expanded slightly to align with natural boundaries
- The maps may need revisiting once Corridor H alignments are finalized
Updated Zoning Districts
- Residential districts designed with quiet living, less traffic in mind
- Mixed us Heritage District on Main Street in the center of town will best function as small lots for restaurants, retail, apartments, and homes.
- Business-Commercial Flex District comprised of east and west sections off Main Street will be less restrictive to accommodate larger commercial uses, parking lots, etc.
- All three zones may include residences, businesses, and other uses to some degree
Ordinance Revision
- Based on a model developed by a planning team at the West Virginia University Law School
- Similar to Moorefield, Martinsburg, and other West Virginia communities
- The Wardensville Planning Commission has been working on the model ordinance for several years to customize it for the town
- The new code is better organized and easier to use
- There are extensive and clear definitions for zoning terms
Specifics
- There are three types of permitted uses:
– Permitted are uses that are defined by the type of district. For example, if a residence automatically qualifies for use in the Residential District.
– Conditional allows usage only after the Board of Zoning Appeals grants approval.
– Prohibited means that a certain use is not permitted in a district. For instance, a new business would not be allowed in a district reserved only for private homes.
- Each district has a list of permitted and conditional uses
Council approved $25,000 in funds to be used for improvements at J. Allen Hawkins Park in 2026. Toni Harvey is contributing $10,000 through a DAF 360 grant (Donor Advised Funding) to the Capon Valley Volunteer Fire Department and Wardensville Volunteer Rescue Squad. However, grant requirements forbid direct contributions to a
501-c-4 organization. To help process the donation, council approved the town to accept the donation, which will then be distributed equally to the fire department and rescue squad.
With all business being considered, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30. The regular meeting of the Wardensville Town Council is scheduled for Monday, September 8th beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Visitors Center.
