By Dakota Baker
The Ronceverte City Council held their monthly meeting on Monday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m., after being rescheduled due to winter weather. In attendance were Mayor Deena Pack and councilmembers Scott Vogelsong, Gail White, Leah Smith, Tanya Hazelwood, and Mark Trent.
On the agenda was the second public notice regarding the demolition of 200 Academy Street, the former elementary school, that will be provided by Empire Salvage and Recycling on Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. A public meeting was opened for comments, and none were made. The motion for the demolition was approved.
Mayor Pack mentioned a recent water leak that caused some residents to be without water while the line was replaced. She said this unfortunately is part of the next water project that they are waiting on approval from CSX, which is why those lines had not been replaced before the leak occurred.
In regard to new business, councilmembers reviewed Ordinance 2025-01 which is a modification of water, wastewater, and tap reconnection fees. Councilmember Leah Smith moved to table the ordinance to have more time to review rates throughout the state due to the increase being “pretty significant.” Smith said she was able to review some rates, and Ronceverte’s fees are not the highest she’s seen, but she would like for council to have more information before moving forward. Mayor Pack explained this ordinance would only affect new customers or those who have their sewer disconnected and then reconnected. Smith’s motion to table Ordinance 2025-01 until the next meeting was approved.
Council then moved on to the discussion of Resolution 2025-02, which is a request to establish a line of credit at People’s Bank. The main reason for this line of credit is that some of the ongoing projects taking place in Ronceverte require an advanced payment to vendors and often it takes time for the city to be reimbursed for those funds. The credit line will give the city the ability to pay the vendors and use the money from Region 4 to pay back the credit line once it comes through. The credit line will require two signatures for money to be withdrawn. The motion to establish the credit line was approved by council members.
Excitingly, Ronceverte will also have a few new businesses opening soon and Ronceverte has received some grants for beautification of the town. More information will be available as these projects develop.
The next council meeting will be held on Monday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. with a finance meeting being held prior to the council meeting.
