Minutes - Cemetery Board|

KIMBALL TOWNSHIP CEMETERY ADVISORY BOARD

MUNICIPAL OFFICE, 2160 WADHAMS ROAD,

KIMBALL, MICHIGAN 48074

REGULAR MEETING

FEBRUARY 13, 2013

2:00 P.M.

 

Meeting called to order at 2:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

PRESENT: Sturdevant, Pung, Cline, Bennett and Wagar.

ABSENT: Baker.

ALSO PRESENT: R. Hand, M. Worley and B. Pearl.

 

I. COMMUNICATIONS

  1. Minutes of Kimball Township Cemetery Advisory Board – December 12, 2012.

Motion by Wagar to accept as presented supported by Cline. Motion Carried.

 

  1. Minutes of Kimball Township Board of Trustees – January 13, 2013.

Received by M. Sturdevant.

 

II. OLD BUSINESS

  1. Cemetery Expansion

Sturdevant received the responses of the newsletter from Worley. The opinion of the majority of the residents was to expand the existing cemetery, not close it. These results will be published in the next newsletter.

 

III.    NEW BUSINESS

  1. Cemetery Records

Mr. Bernard Pearl proposed to the Cemetery Board that he has a method that he would like to use to correct and organize the burial records for Caswell Cemetery. Pearl presented a map of the north side of Caswell that he had already completed. He stated that he probably would not be able to get all of names of the buried due to the small pox and polio mass burials. The cost of organizing all of the names would be $1.00 per name. Sturdevant asked if this was per grave or per person? Pearl stated that it would be per person. Worley asked Pearl where he gets his information from? Pearl stated that he uses mostly “Find-a-Grave website. Pearl stated that this process would take anywhere between six months and one year to complete. Worley asked Pearl if he would be able to identify who is in what grave? Pearl stated that he would go by the headstones present. Wagar suggested to Pearl that he contact Mr. McCue in Goodells to obtain information about the polio and small pox burials.

 

Motion by Sturdevant to present to the Kimball Township Board of Trustees a proposal to hire Mr. Bernard Pearl to compile, correct and publish the burial information about Caswell Cemetery at a cost of $1.00 per name, not to exceed $5,000.00 supported by Bennett. Motion Carried.

Sturdevant stated that this would be presented to the township board and Sturdevant will contact Pearl with the decision. The Cemetery Board thanked Pearl for the information and his time.

 

  1. Plaque Ordering

Sturdevant stated that there was some confusion on how to order the bronze plaques for the niches. Sturdevant stated that this was established at previous Cemetery Board meetings and is in writing.

The first step: Have the resident fill out the “Purchase Form”.

Second step: This information will then be written onto the “Granite Bronze Order Form”.

This form with the check from the township with our account number on it should be mailed to Cold Springs. Cold Springs then confirms this information before making the plaque. The process takes approximately four to six weeks. Worley stated that she had contacted Cold Springs and the cost is currently $198, but will soon be going to $228. This does include shipping. The DPW will then install these when they arrive.

 

  1. Deeds

Worley stated that the word “deed” be changed to “lease” or “burial permit”. Pung suggested the term “burial lease agreement”. Worley will check with the MTA to see if this would work.

 

  1. Grave Fees

Worley stated that there should be a fee for processing of the paperwork when someone changes ownership of graves. Wagar suggested that a fee of $25 should cover this. Worley will compile information on this.

 

  1. Reclamation of Graves

Worley stated that there are currently quite a few graves that are not being used. Worley suggested that when the expansion is established, a clause should be put in the ordinance that states after a certain time limit, and then the township can take the graves back after contacting the owners. Pung stated that this is a bad idea and should never be considered. Worley will bring back to next meeting.

 

  1. Perpetual Care

Worley stated that the fee for perpetual care should be raised. Sturdevant stated what a perpetual care fund is. It is a trust account set aside for the care and maintenance of cemetery graves after all lots have been sold and there is no more income generated. This trust is not to be touched until this condition occurs. This is set by Federal and Stated Laws. There should be a trust fund already established and should have considerable amount of money in it. Pending answers to questions asked, this topic will be brought back to the next meeting. The Cemetery Board suggested that Mr. G. Jackson be invited to attend the next meeting.

 

Motion by Cline to adjourn meeting at 3:55 p.m. supported by Sturdevant. Motion Carried.

 

Adjourned at 3:55 p.m.

 

Submitted By, Michael Sturdevant, Chairperson/Secretary

Kimball Township Cemetery Advisory Board

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