The Wardensville Town Council convened in regular session on Monday, August 10,
2026, at the Visitor’s Center. Present were Mayor Besty Orndoff-Sayers; Council
members Charlotte Bowman, Serena Kay Cline, Mike Funkhouser, and Ed Klinovski.
The meeting opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Council approved minutes of the July meeting and authorized bills to be paid.
Mayor’s Report
Charlotte Bowman and I attended the annual West Virginia Municipal League’s
Conference in Charleston. This is the first time in quite some time that the annual
conference was held in Charleston. We had a wonderful time meeting with other officials
and staff from municipalities around the state. The program this year was very
informative. We took the opportunity to speak with Delegate Shamblin (District 56)
about our project funding requests that were previously slated for funding under former
Governor Justice. He suggested asking Senator Randy Smith to send a letter to the
Governor on our behalf. Delegate Shamblin spoke during a panel session about
leveraging federal funds. Charlotte Bowman and I met with Governor Morrisey at the
Sunset Restaurant on Thursday, July 30th to ask for support for the Cafeteria Project
and the Solar Field Project, as we had not gotten a response from his office for 18
months. These projects were awarded EEG (Economic Enhancement Grant) funds
under Governor Justice and were set aside by the Legislature.
The Humane Society of Hardy County held a community meeting in the Visitor’s Center
in late July. Three large feral cat colonies identified in town, one in the Sandfield area,
one in Warden Lake, and one on Pine Ridge. The two colonies in town have around 20
– 30 cats each.
Jane Rinard has completed her hours for the Master Gardener class certification. Ed
Klinovski is watering the plants on a regular basis.
Connie Miller and I met with J & K Landscaping to discuss the memorial garden at Town
Hall. We will be making a trip to Harper’s Statuary near Harrisonburg to select the
bench and statuary in the near future.
We ran into a snag with the Fixed Budget Legal ad for the splash pad construction. We
received a note from the WV Contractor’s Association stating that we were not able to
do a Design Build project unless it had been approved by the WV Design Build Board.
In speaking with the Municipal League, the law changed in 2019. We have been given
the Design Build advice from another municipality. In the meantime, we are having a
new ad written by Omni & Associates.
The signs for making Oak Street one way have arrived. Work continues on this. Work
with Carrie Baughman of the Department of Energy is ongoing to update our
Congressional Earmark award package. We have been approved for the ASAP portal to
submit draw information.
The transition from GST (Goods and Services Tax) to Prime Edge for our IT support
continues. We have shared information with Prime Edge that was given to us during a
SNAP Zoom meeting on cybersecurity for utilities.
Mark Sifler of Metro Recreation met with Ed Klinovski to take a look at the lower play
area at the park to see where some playground equipment would work and to get
installation estimates.
We received a rough estimate for $4.5 million for the cafeteria building. This is $3 million
more than we have funds for. We are working with Region 8 and Logan Mongold
(USDA) to consider other options.
Public Works Report
In the absence of Public Works Supervisor Erich Atkinson, Council member Ed Klinovski provided an update. Erich and Ed were trained on the Bar Screen system at
the water treatment plant. The system is placed at the entrance of the plant to catch
large items such as paper and waste before they reach pumps or pipes. It is made of
parallel metal bars or rods spaced 1 to 3 inches apart. Debris is manually raked in some
systems but the town’s Bar Screen is automated with mechanical arms to lift waste
away. It keeps pumps and valves safe from clogs and breaks. As well the system
reduces repair needs and keeps the plant running well.
On August 20 th chemical pods will be placed in the water treatment system. The are pre-
measured doses of active ingredients like chlorine dioxide, NaDCC (sodium
dichloroisocyanurate) or activated carbon minerals. They purify or condition water by
killing microorganisms, oxidizing organic waste, or absorbing contaminants on contact.
Concrete will be poured at the backup by RK&K soon. The town had a report of a fire
hydrant being knocked over on Sandfield Lane. Tire tracks beside the hydrant indicated
that it was hit by a vehicle.
Unfinished Business
Resolutions 2026-16 (water drawdown #23) and 2026-17 (sewage drawdown #22) were
approved with a roll call vote. Bidding for the splash pad project will be readvertised.
Wardensville is waiting on the green light to proceed with the town parking lot
expansion.
New Business
The mayor presented Resolution 2026-18 for the Council’s consideration that opposes
the massive powerline transmission project proposed to be installed across West Virginia. The recommended direction runs from Putnam County diagonally across the
state through Hardy and Hampshire Counties. Opponents state that the project will not
benefit West Virginians but cause utility rates to rise. Several other cities and towns
along the projected pathway have passed resolutions to protest the construction. The
resolution unanimously passed with a roll call vote.
The Hampshire County Veterans Freedom Run will be held on Saturday, September 12 th
at 10 a.m. Volunteers are needed. If interested, send an email to h.c.v.f@hotmail.com or
call 540 450 7751.
Concerns have been raised regarding parking safety right after the Trout Run Road
intersection in town. The area has parking on both sides of the street. It was reported that
someone exited their car and was nearly struck by a tractor trailer. Part of the problem is
that drivers are not parking close enough to the sidewalk. Then when stepping out of the
vehicle they are closer to traffic. The town will reach out to the Division of Highways to
discuss ideas to alleviate the problem.
It turns out that some of the funding stripped by DOGE (Department of Government
Efficiency) early in the current presidential administration has been restored. This includes
funding for Transportation Alternatives Design grant. This is a zero-match grant that
Wardensville hopes to use to install security cameras on town property such as the water
treatment plant, pickle ball court, and splash pad. These systems have proven effective in
crime prevention and reducing vandalism.
Long-time West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby is moving on from her
position. She has been a staunch supporter of Wardensville and worked with Mayor Betsy Orndoff-Sayers on many occasions. The mayor sent the following thank you note
to Secretary Ruby: “Secretary Ruby, Greetings from Tiny Town. I want to say “Thank
You” for all of the support, guidance, and insight that you and your staff have provided to
Wardensville during your tenure. We were and are blessed. I want to wish you the best
in your next endeavor. If you are in the area, please stop by. It has been great to work
with you.”
Secretary Ruby responded “Thank you so much Mayor. It has been a pleasure working
with you over the years. Please keep in touch and know I’ll always be cheering you on!”
Following an executive session to discuss legal matters, the meeting was adjourned.
The next town council meeting will be held on Monday, September 14 th beginning at
6:30 p.m. in the Visitors Center. The public is welcome.
