CARPENDALE, W.Va. (WV News) — It was familiar faces and familiar problems as the newly-elected Carpendale Council took office this week.
Ridgeley police department Cpl. Clint Ward administered the oath of office to mayor Diane Baker and council members Butch Armentrout, Rev. Ken Hamilton, Mary Jo Hinton, Virgil O’Neal and Barbara Rapson.
When Ward asked if residents had concerns, the first cry was “slow them down” as residents noted speeding in a variety of areas, including the main road (Miller Road) and Heiskell Boulevard.
Along with speeding, residents expressed concern for those on two- and four-wheelers who are underage, have no helmets and are not displaying the required sticker to be registered in the town.
“A select handful will ruin it for the others,” said Ward of the riders. “When we see them acting up, we do address them.”
For many years Carpendale took the stance that if riders were riding responsibly, they could travel on the town streets to reach their off-road destinations.
Ward echoed this, saying that if they are abiding by the rules they are letting them travel to the woods or back home.
He added that stopping all riders would just result in them getting into trouble in other ways in the community.
As the town awaits its sewer project, which continues to progress with planning of Phase I to the point of looking at where to stage the supplies for the project, infiltration into the system is once again a concern.
Despite little rainfall the amount metered going into Cumberland for treatment continues to grow with 1.4 million gallons in April, 2.6 million gallons in May and 2.4 million gallons in June.
“The more we pump to Cumberland, the more they bill us,” said Hamilton.
The town is looking to upgrade the water system with the installation of new meters that can be read electronically.
“Ours our antiquated,” said Baker, noting that many are having issues with 10-12 recently being repaired.
“They are very expensive,” she said of the new meters, noting plans to use COVID money toward the purchase.
The town is currently in the process of flushing all the fire hydrants.
O’Neal updated residents on recent repairs to the alleyway behind Blue Jay and Mockingbird Drive, noting that repairs have been completed to the roadway damaged when a water leak was repaired.
He urged residents with pot holes on their streets to contact him as he is making a list for spots in need of attention when the town gets cold patch.
Baker noted that there are two sinkholes near the guardrail in front of the town hall that have been marked with caution tape until the area can be dug out and repaired.
Residents expressed concern for the ditches that need cleaned out on the main road and were advised to contact the Division of Highways.
O’Neal explained that he had talked to the highway division and the issue with them cleaning the culverts is the driveways that are on personal property, which need to have sufficient culverts placed under them to carry the water along.
He sympathized with residents, saying, “It’s just like a river through my yard,” adding that one year the water washed out the potatoes he had planted in his garden.
The town is continuing to accept donations toward the repair of the fence at the ballfield.
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