By Sarah Mansheim
The Ronceverte City Council made quick work of their December meeting last Monday evening, quickly checking off agenda items as the snow fell outside. Council members Crystal Byer and Shawn Honaker were absent from the meeting, leaving Adam Rosin, Barbara Morgan, Bob Baker, Mayor David Smith, City Administrator Reba Mohler and Recorder Jan Johnson to the task.
First, council quickly approved Bert Baker to the Ronceverte Board of Zoning Appeals. Mohler had recommended him.
Dunn Engineers’ Eric Hartwell was absent from the meeting, so Smith gave the wastewater treatment plant project update to council. He said the city held a pre-bid event on Nov. 20, with several companies expressing interest in building the new sewer plant. Bidding will open on Dec. 18 at 11 a.m.
In other sewer plant business, council approved payment of two invoices pertaining to the plant, and approved the second readings of Bond Ordinance 2014-03 and Note Ordinance 2014-04, allowing more monies to flow into the plant project. Rosin voted “nay” against both the bond and note ordinances.
The council also addressed other infrastructure business, approving city water operator Steve Williams to inspect the town’s water tank and sent his findings to the DEP.
“He is certified and able to inspect the tank,” said Mohler. Smith and Morgan both noted that using their own employee, as opposed to contracting an outside source, will save the town a significant amount of money.
In other business:
• Council authorized Grant Coordinator Doug Hylton’s application to seek grant funding for improvements to Island Park’s restrooms and community garden. Hylton also announced a conservation campaign to raise $20,000 to improve the city’s cemeteries.
• Hylton reported on CSX’s progress on renovating the old train depot. The renovation is coming along; the railroad has asked Hylton to provide them with old postcards in order to choose historically accurate paint colors for the structure. According to Hylton, the depot will turn 100 years old next year.
• Mohler reminded citizens to attend the city Christmas stocking giveaway on Dec. 24 at 2 p.m. The annual event will be held at the Clifford Armory.
