RONCEVERTE W.Va. (WVDN) – After two postponements due to the Christmas parade and then inclement weather, the Ronceverte City Council held its monthly meeting on Monday evening, Dec. 15, with a small crowd of citizens on hand.
The approval of minutes from the November meeting was first on the board, as it always is, and those were approved.
Then, the revision of the handbook was discussed, with the only change being the addition of insurance benefits applicable to new employees. If new employees have families, the additional family members will be paid 50 percent instead of 80 percent, according to City Administrator Pam Mentz. Current employees still get the 80/20 split. The motion of the second reading was approved.
The city has received interest from Katrina Rutherford and Raymond Erskine in joining the zoning board of appeals. There are currently three openings. A short vote took place, and Rutherford and Erskine were appointed.
An approval was also granted for the 2025 penguin plunge that will be held at Island Park this March and is sponsored by Edgewood Presbyterian Church. It’s like the polar bear plunge, where people get in the river right at the beginning of spring while the water is still cold. The event was held last year and was extremely successful and beneficial for Edgewood, as it allows them to hold their free meal days and other projects throughout the year.
The council expressed congratulations to Patrolman Cameron Juma, who recently graduated from the police academy. He will now be certified. Officer Larry Anderson will head to the academy soon as well.
They also issued a congratulations to the Ronceverte Fire Department on another successful Christmas parade on Dec. 1. The Fire Department will also continue the long tradition of handing out stockings on Christmas Eve, next Wednesday, with treats, hot chocolate, and Santa Claus on hand.
All council members said Merry Christmas to everyone during their comments portion of the meeting.
There will be a new coffee shop holding a soft open house this Saturday from 11-3 in town. It will officially open in April, but is giving the public a chance to check it out early. Council member Mark Trent said it was a beautiful space that will be a great addition to the town.
The popular and anticipated Pickleball courts should start being laid by March or April. The courts have a spring opening prediction date.
Ronceverte Elementary recently held its Santa’s workshop, and it was a huge success. The students at the school go through a shop of items that are paid for and donated by various outlets, and allow each student to get at least four items as gifts for their families.
The next meeting is expected to be held in the new location of Peoples Bank, where City Hall will be relocated on Jan. 5, 2026.
