By Ronda Wertman
tribune correspondent

RIDGELEY — Officially taking office Wednesday, July 1, the newly-elected Ridgeley Mayor and Commissioners have many projects to oversee.
The council recently selected RK&K Engineers to design their upcoming sidewalk project.
With a sidewalk grant from the West Virginia Department of Transportation, the town will be able to improve handicap access to its sidewalks and make other needed repairs.
Work is continuing on the town’s Community Center on the grounds of the former Ridgeley High School and a Parks and Recreation Committee is being formed to address the use of the center and the town’s athletic fields.
Ridgeley Finance Commissioner Robert Shipley said that “better days are ahead” for the town, which spent $5,000 more than it took in last month.
The council held the third and final reading to update its rental housing ordinance and approved resolutions appointing Tom Hedrick as their voting delegate to the West Virginia Rural Water Association; affirming Public Service Commission guidelines to not charge sewer fees on water used for filing swimming pools; and permitting town employees to participate in the West Virginia Retirement Plus program at their own expense.
The Ridgeley Police have been busy responding to 247 calls resulting in seven arrests.
Officer Nathan Swick is undergoing training at the West Virginia State Police Academy and Chief Mike Miller graduated from supervisors training at the Institute of Police Services.
The council meets the second and fourth Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting will be July 14.