HomeMy WebLinkAboutCemetary Commission Minutes 03.21.2013 i
CEMETERY COMMISSION MINUTES
Thursday, March 21, 2013
5:30 P.M. at City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Co- Chairman Scot Stokes Dick Fritzler
Ken Olson Chuck Rodgers
Wally Hall
OTHERS PRESENT: Cathy Gabrian Matt Wheeler
The Mayor opened the meeting. There was no public in attendance. Scot arrived and took over the
meeting. The Mayor left for another meeting.
Pauper's grave site: Chuck reported on the work he has been doing at the cemetery. He has been using
the imaging map, the existing headstones and cemetery records to mark graves in Section A and the west
side of Section B. Matt Wheeler and his son Casey, worked with Chuck using a metal detector and were
able to locate eleven old headstones that were buried under the dirt, along with some metal pins that may
indicate graves. The city crew lifted the headstones.
Chuck said it was just discovered that the imaging was done to a distance of 122 feet but the section is
actually 144 feet deep. This will make a difference on the mapping he has done. He will get together
with Cathy over the next month and redo the mapping. Lee and Dick offered to help measure.
Kurt told Cathy he will get a transit and mark the rows on the north side with permanent pins. This will
help when remapping the section and will be used in the future to mark and dig graves.
A Master Plan was done several years ago and after it was done, the city gave Yellowstone County one
acre in the northwest corner. Chuck did a proposed revision to the Master Plan to show this change and a
few other suggested revisions. He explained his changes with a map he had drawn.
Section H has 280 grave sites available. We need to fill in the drain ditch on the west side to have access
to the section. The dirt road on the north may need to be moved slightly, based on the northern boundary
of the sections.
The Catholic part of the cemetery has two sections. The east section, Section Q, was designed to have six
rows but only four have been developed. With the additional land purchase several years ago, we are now
able to put in the road between Sections Q and R and can finish the two rows in Section Q and develop
Section R, to the very east.
The west side of Section B could also be opened for full cremation burials. There are a few graves in this
area and we would stay away from the areas where the imaging determined there may be graves.
A motion was made by Chuck, seconded by Lee to open Section H for full burials, the west side of
Section B for cremation burials, extend two rows in Section Q to finish this section and to extend the
roadways to address each area. A vote was taken on the motion. Motion carried.
Chuck has received calls concerning the open spots in the concrete ribbons in the Veterans' Section.
They are afraid someone will step in these holes and break an ankle. It was discussed and pea gravel will
be used to fill them in. Matt will have the crew do this right away.
Cemetery Commission
Page 2, March 21 s `, 2013
There was discussion about designating a new Veterans' Section on the west side of Section I, directly
north of the current veterans' area. Chuck thought a motion had been made to this effect, at some point in
the past. Cathy said that since the county cemetery opened, our cemetery has had a lot fewer veteran
burials. She questioned whether we would open another section in our cemetery. Section J still has a lot
of veteran lots available. This item will be deferred and a future board can make the decision.
Spraying of thistles: Matt said the city has purchased a sprayer that is being fitted for the Gator. It will
be used to spray the cemetery and parks. They will try and target dandelions, morning glory and thistles
with the spraying. We can only spray according to the instructions on the spray but will look for a
different spray that will allow more than two applications a year.
The meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cathy Gabrian