CHESTER — Mayor Ed Wedgewood made up his own “honey-do” list; however, most of the tasks gracing it are assigned to city employees for 2025.

During Tuesday’s monthly council meeting, he shared his wish list with those in attendance, acknowledging that the success of the city’s paving program (let alone, under budget) and the progress made toward completing the city’s dilapidated properties project has inspired him.

Also last year, the city was able to install a new HVAC system in the municipal building, purchase a new cruiser and fully staff the police department, purchase a mini-excavator, have a three-year audit completed plus work toward installation of energy efficient lighting through receipt of a grant.

“My 2025 to-do list is a lot bigger,” Wedgewood said as he rattled off the list for each city department.

In regards to the city’s curb appeal, the mayor said he wants street employees to line both the municipal building and city park parking lots; paint curbs; work on drains; as well as contract for the completion of a small paving project (expected to cost less than $50,000).

He said he also wants to see some additional work done to the municipal building, including upgrades to the first- and third-floor restrooms; repairs to the entrances from the building’s rear including the wheelchair ramp; as well as purchase of a generator so city officials can use the building as an emergency shelter if needed.

Wedgewood also has tasks at hand for the clerk’s office, such as moving the upcoming city offices’ election closer to the West Virginia primary to see if they enjoy greater participation and some more audits.

The donation of an old cruiser to another department was a positive move, and Wedgewood said he believes that they have a few more that can follow suit after being replaced within the fleet. He wants to get rid of some more decommissioned cruisers as well as continuing to build on the successful technological upgrades they have made within the department.

On the legislative side of things, councilmembers are tasked with updating city rules so they are more enforceable, such as the case with the code enforcement for high grass and building neglect.

Wedgewood wants to continue maintenance and upkeep to the city’s public green spaces, like the Teapot and Chester City Park, and hiring a part-time groundskeeper is part of that.

During Tuesday’s meeting, members from the parks commission, the mayor and council discussed a job description that was okay to be advertised.