A large crowd made an appearance at the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at the new and improved wastewater treatment plant in Ronceverte on Friday, Sept. 7. Ronceverte Mayor David Smith, Senator Stephen Baldwin, Todd Gunter with U.S. Senator Moore Capito’s office, Brian Aluise with U.S. Senator Joe Manchin’s office, Congressman Evan Jenkins, Cabinet Secretary Austin Caperton with the WV DEP, and Wayne Morgan with Governor James Justice’s office all spoke at the ceremony before the ribbon cutting. Many expressed their love for Greenbrier River and recounted memories of playing in the water as children. They went on to note their appreciation toward the city and other groups involved in making the plant more efficient, and therefore healthier for the local environment. Mayor Smith is seen here in the center cutting with ribbon with help from other attendees in front of one of the large reservoirs at the treatment plant. The new facility meets new DEP regulations and has drastically improved wastewater processing systems.
The wastewater treatment facility also received a new sign for the front of the building. The City of Ronceverte logo, a train chugging up the tracks with a tall smokestack, is cut out of steel on the new sign.
Friday, Sept. 7, was a “great day” for the Town of Ronceverte, said Mayor David Smith at the city council meeting on Monday night.
On that day the town came out to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony to highlight the completion of the Ronceverte wastewater treatment facility. The fanfare planned for the event included a picnic at Island Park, a tour of the new plant, presentations from state officials and the applause of a huge crowd of well-wishers.
“We went from a facility that wasn’t doing well by the Greenbrier River to a plant that can take care of the river,” said Smith. “That’s a real plus!”
As part of the cooperative plan between DEP, Alderson, Ronceverte and White Sulphur Springs, the completion of the wastewater treatment facility will help attain the desired water quality for the river.
According to City Administrator Reba Mohler, the cost for the upgrade came to $23,723,342. Ronceverte received a grant of $9,241,886, which required no repayment, and the remaining $14,481,456 was funded through the DEP’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund at zero interest. The improvements will allow the city to meet West Virginia DEP requirements, comply with WV code 31-15A-176 regarding phosphorus removal and will help to protect one of county’s most valuable resources, the Greenbrier River which serves as a water source for many communities and provides recreational opportunities.
Thanks were given to all the participating individuals whose efforts to upgrade the aging facility over a ten year period included not only the mayor and council members but the applied efforts of city administrator Mohler, plant operator John Hunphreys, Dunn Engineering’s Eric Hartwell, Elvis Canterbury, Wayne Hypes and Fred Hypes, John Tuggle with Region 4 Planning and Development Council, Thomas Cazad and Kathy Emery with DEP and all the employees of the Town of Ronceverte.
In other business:
- American Legion Post 26 members Bobby White and Barbara Burdette presented the council with Roads to Heroes banners to hang on telephone poles around the town to beautify the area and show veteran appreciation. White said, “We don’t take enough time in these days to thank those in the armed services.” The banners are a way to honor those veterans who have departed by including their names on the banners. Mayor David Smith thanked the Legion members saying he and council were encouraged to participate.
- Two committee appointments were approved by council: Ed Swepson to the Cemetery Board and Kathy King to the Planning Commission.
- The 1882 Heritage Days festival was also held on Friday, and was a great success, the mayor said, until the rain came down around 4:30 p.m. Among the activities that day, the Ronceverte Museum dedicated their reading room to Sue Ella Miano, who was surprised at receiving the honor. Books at the museum will be sold on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the mayor said.
- Mohler said the city will be meeting daily with police and fire department officials concerning anticipated Greenbrier River waters rising and flooding parts of the city due to the approaching Hurricane Florence. The public is advised to stay tuned to the weather stations and channels for updates on the storm.