Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, Jan. 27, 2005

Commissioners present: M. Burch, T. Hamm, A. Holmes, D. Mathis, D. Tauber
Also six persons from the public 1. The minutes of the October meeting were approved as previously distributed. 2. The current officers were reelected:
     President: Donna Tauber
     Vice President: Doug Mathis
     Secretary: Tom Hamm
     Treasurer: Ann Holmes 3. Angela Tielking reported that HB 1155 has been reported out of the House Local Government Affairs Committee to the full House. It would impose a $1 fee on the first death certificate issued to an applicant. Funds would be paid into the Department of Natural Resources Pioneer Cemetery Trust Fund, which would then distribute funds to county cemetery commissions. This would have the effect of encouraging counties that have not done so to form cemetery commissions. A distribution mechanism is controversial; the current bill would give each county an equal sum. Concern was expressed about the state actually distributing the money, given its fiscal problems. It was also noted that counties could impose their own fees. Those present expressed their appreciation to Angela for her dedicated advocacy. 4. Ann Holmes reported $967.76 in the treasury. 5. Bud Bush reported that the commission's trailer is in good condition. Technical ownership for insurance purposes is with the county commissioners. 6. The commission looked back on its three years of existence. We have made progress; we have a trailer, enough tools for our work, and progress in a number of graveyards. 7. The president noted the December volunteer of the year award presentation to Deputy Kenny King. 8. The work day at the Bell Cemetery was productive. Several buried markers were found. 9. The centrality of township trustees for cemetery care was discussed. HB 1155 would require township trustees to report cemetery work and expenditures. We also noted proposals to abolish township trustees and turn their functions over to counties. 10. The commission adjourned to meet again Feb. 24, at 6 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Donna Tauber, President

Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, Feb. 24, 2005

Commissioners present: D. Tauber, A. Holmes, T. Hamm
Also three members of the public. 1. The minutes of the January 27 meeting were approved as disseminated. 2. Treasurer Ann Holmes reported no change in the treasury balance since January. 3. President Donna Tauber reported that Angela Tielking has been working with the owner of the land on which the Farley Cemetery in Franklin Township is located, as well as the farmer who rents the land. Both are cooperative and interested in the restoration and preservation of the cemetery. 5. It was reported that a teacher at Blue River School is interested in continuing work at the Hodson Cemetery in Stony Creek Township. Clean-up work has also been done at the Bundy Cemetery in the same township. 6. Interest was expressed in work at the Wisehart Cemetery in Liberty Township. It is visible from a busy road and would give our work more visibility. 7. It was reported that the Saunders-Adams bill on cemetery funding has yet to be taken up by the Indiana house.

Respectfully submitted,
D. Tauber, president
T. Hamm, secretary

Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, March 24, 2005

Commissioners Present: T. Hamm, D. Mathis, D. Tauber
Bud Bush 1. The minutes of the meeting of February 24 were approved as previously distributed. 2. In the absence of the treasurer, the president reported $1,177 in the treasury. 3. The president reported that Angela Tielking had talked to Bob Hall, the owner of the land on which the Farley Cemetery in Franklin Township is located. He wants to visit the site with members of the commission after he returns from Florida. We plan a workday early in April, as work will have to be done before crops are planted in the adjacent fields. We hope eventually to have a lane back to the cemetery. 4. The Day of Caring is May 17. We will request volunteers for a cemetery project. Possibilities include Leakey-Wisehart, McDaniel, Current, and Elm Grove. 5. The commission noted the need to complete work in cemeteries for which we have received designated donations: Paul, Keesling, and Messick. In the first two, the only work yet undone is resetting stones. Messick remains in bad condition. 6. It was reported that Blue River School students would continue work on the Hodson Cemetery. 7. It was reported that no cemetery legislation is likely to be approved in this session of the legislature. 8. The commission adjourned after setting its next meeting for Thursday, April 28, at 6 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Donna Tauber, President
Thomas Hamm, Secretary

April - Spring Break - no quorum

Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, May 26, 2005

Commissioners present: M. Burch, T. Hamm, A. Holmes, D. Tauber
Present from the Public: U. Bush, A. Tielking 1. The minutes of the meeting of March 24 were approved as distributed. 2. The president announced that Doug Mathis had submitted his resignation. We will recommend to the County Commissioners that Angela Tielking replace him. 3. With Doug Mathis's resignation, we will not be able to use the Henry County Health Department as our business address. It was agreed that the Henry County Historical Society will be our physical address, with the mailing address care of Ann Holmes 7160 N. Prairie Rd Springport IN 47386 4. The president noted that some of the commissioners took part in the Day of Caring on May 17. With the help of a crew from Metaldyne significant progress was made at Lewisville Cemetery. 5. Bud Bush reported on work at the Current Cemetery in Stony Creek Township on May 21. This is one of the cemeteries in the Central Indiana Land Trust where we have indicated concern about weeds, brambles, etc. We will return to this cemetery for further work. 6. We noted the need for complete work at the Keesling Cemetery. 7. Bud Bush distributed a letter concerning the Zoar Cemetery at Westwood. One former resident says that there are Indian graves, perhaps Miami, at the site. 8. We have a request for further works on Todd family markers to be done at Greensboro Cemetery. 9. June 15 is the Youth Day of Caring. The president will put Jeff Ray in touch with Bud Bush to organize work at Greensboro Cemetery. 10. Our cemetery legislation did not emerge from its House committee this year. Rep. Saunders indicated that he will try again next year. 14. Our application to the Henry County Foundation for a grant for cemetery awareness workshops was unsuccessful, in part because we are not a 501c3. We will resubmit the application in the fall. 15. We agreed on the following work schedule:
June 4 and 11: Messick Cemetery
June 18 and 25: Keesling Cemetery
If faced with wet weather in early June we will begin at the Keesling Cemetery. 16. The commission adjourned to meet again on June 23 at 6:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
T. Hamm, Secretary

Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, June 23, 2005

Commissioners present: Hamm, Holmes, and Tauber
Present from the Public: U.E. Bush, K. Holmes 1. The minutes of the meeting of May 26 were approved as distributed. 2. The president announced that the county commissioners had appointed Greg Brown to fill the remaining term of Doug Mathis, which expires in December 2005. 3. Treasurer Ann Holmes reported a balance of $1,271.64. She and the president will consult with the Henry County Community Foundation to resolve some apparent discrepancies. 4. A claim for $32.12 from Ken Holmes for materials used at the Youth Day of Caring was approved. 5. The Youth Day of Caring project was work at the Greensboro Cemetery. Amidst adventures with sprayers, weed eaters, and general youthful exuberance, between 50 and 60 stones were cleaned. About 40-50 markers still need to be reset there. 6. It was reported that the relationship of the Current Cemetery to the Central Indiana Land Trust is being determined. 7. A question was raised about the condition of the Holland Cemetery in Dudley Township. A recent visit showed it to be in decent condition. 8. Work resetting stones remains at the Keesling Cemetery. This is a priority because of donations earmarked for this project. 9. The workdays at the Messick Cemetery had to be canceled because of rain. Blue River Township Trustee Joyce Cassidy has indicated that she will reimburse this commission for expenses up to $150. Ken Holmes will contact Eddy Hager about spraying there. 10. The commission agreed on the following work schedule:
      July 13: Messick
      July 20: Messick
      July 30: Leakey-Wisehart. 11. The commission adjourned with its next meeting scheduled for July 28 at 6 PM at the Henry County Historical Society.

Respectfully submitted
Thomas Hamm, Secretary

Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, July 28, 2005

Commissioners present:
Brown, Holmes, and Tauber
Present from the Advisory Board:
U.E. Bush, K. Holmes and Angela Tielking 1. The minutes of the meeting of June 23rd were approved as distributed. 2. The board welcomed new HCCC board member Greg Brown. 3. Treasurer Ann Holmes reported a balance of $1,243.11 Ann and Ken Holmes and Tauber met with the Henry County Foundation to discuss the fee process by the Foundation. It was explained to them that the fees shown were since the Foundation had been handling HCCC funds, not an annual fee. 4. The Commission discussed at length the possibility of applying for a Foundation Grant - workshop to be held August 14th and deadline August 31st. The commission would have to apply under another non-for profit entity such as the Henry County Historical Society. Marianne of the HCHS said that they were planning on applying for a grant this round for the Joyner House Project; it was decided to pursue funding through the Henry County Library for a Cemetery Workshop to be held this October. 5. On July 28th the YMCA Youth Camp held a Tombstone Rubbing Project with about 20 children in attendance. The project was conducted at Evans Cemetery with Bush, Tauber and Ken Holmes in attendance. 6. Ken Holmes reported that the trailer is now completed and outfitted for the tools and equipment. It is now parked in the City Parking lot. 7. It was reported that Messick Cemetery had been sprayed for weeds - Eddy Hagar is to submit a bill to Township Trustee Joyce Cassidy for reimbursement. 8. Ken will check to see if any work had been done at Keesling Cemetery by an independent contractor, hired by a descendent to reset a stone. Brown will see what needs to done at Paul Cemetery. 9. Workdays for July were canceled due to rain and very hot weather. 10. The commission agreed on the following work schedule to complete work at KEESLING Cemetery:
      (9 am) August 10th - August 17th - August 27th 11. The commission adjourned with its next meeting scheduled for August 25 at 6 PM at the Henry County Historical Society.

Respectfully submitted
Donna Tauber - President
For Thomas Hamm - Secretary

Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, August 25, 2005

Commissioners present: G. Brown, M. Burch, T. Hamm, A. Holmes, D. Tauber
Present from the public: U. Bush, K. Holmes, ? 1. The minutes of the meeting of July 28 were approved as distributed. 2. The president reported that she had decided not to submit a grant application in the current round of Henry County Community Foundation grants because we lacked an organization on which to "piggyback." 3. The president invited those present to the program on cemetery restoration at the annual meeting of the Spiceland Preservation and Tourism Society in September. 4. Treasurer Ann Holmes reported a balance of $1,253.10. 5. Workdays previously scheduled at the Keesling Cemetery had been canceled because of weather. Family members have had some work done. Some marker repair has also been done in the Paul Cemetery. 6. Eddie Hager has sprayed at Messick Cemetery and has been reimbursed by Blue River Township Trustee Joyce Cassidy. 7. The following schedule was set: Keesling Cemetery, Aug. 28, weather permitting Messick Cemetery, Sept. 10 and 17, weather permitting 8. Concern was expressed about the future of the McDaniel Cemetery in Henry Township, as Big B will be opening a concrete facility adjacent. 9. The commission voted to waive November and December meetings because of the holidays. 10. The president reminded us that election of officers would take place in January 2006. 11. Bud Bush reported that Jeff Philhouser of Sulphur Springs had communicated that the old grain elevator there will be demolished and the land converted to a park. As the cemetery is adjacent, there is interest in clean up and restoration. 12. Bud and Ken Holmes met with the count surveyor. He has agreed to aid in plotting cemetery locations. They will begin with the McDaniel Cemetery. The meeting adjoined, with the next meeting on Sept. 22 at 6:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted
Donna Tauber, President
Thomas Hamm, Secretary

Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, Sept. 22, 2005

Commissioners present: M. Burch, T. Hamm, A. Holmes, D. Tauber
Present from the public: U. Bush, K. Holmes, A. Tielking 1. The minutes of the meeting of Aug. 25 were revised and approved. 2. No claims were submitted 3. The treasurer reported no changes since the August meeting. 4. The president announced that Mark Davis would speak on cemetery preservation at the annual meeting of the Spiceland Preservation and Tourism Society (SPATS) on Sept. 27. 5. Bud Bush reported that Chip England, the new South Mound Cemetery superintendent, has requested advice on restoring the cemetery. He would like to hold a two-day restoration program, inviting other cemetery officials. The committee suggested that it take place in early April. The planned workday at Messick on Sept. 10 had to be rescheduled because of an injury to the deputy who supervises the crew. On September 17, rain made work impossible. The commission agreed that completing work at the Keesling Cemetery should be top priority, given family interest. 6. Angela Tielking reported that Rich Green of Lafayette has offered to do a ground survey of the Farley Cemetery. Bob Hall, the owner of the surrounding land, has, after considerable negotiation, given his permission. First brush, etc., will have to be cleared from the cemetery, and it must be done before October 5. Individuals agreed to meet at the cemetery. 7. It was noted that the Messick Cemetery has been named as one of the county's most endangered historic sites. 8. It was reported that while the town of Sulphur Springs has received a grant to demolish the grain elevator, that there are no plans at present for the cemetery. 9. The meeting adjourned to meet again on October 27.

Respectfully submitted,
T. Hamm
Secretary

Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, Oct. 27, 2005

Commissioners Present: M. Burch, T. Hamm, A. Holmes, D. Tauber
Also: A. Tielking, U.E. Bush, K. Holmes 1. The minutes of the September meeting were approved as distributed. 2. The treasurer reported no transactions in the past month. 3. The president reported on the presentation on cemetery preservation by Mark Davis in Spiceland on September 27. South Mound Cemetery superintendent Chip England remains interested in a major cemetery preservation and use conference in the spring. 4. No work has been done in the Messick or Keesling cemeteries since the last meeting. 5. Angela Tielking reported on work at the Farley Cemetery in Franklin Township. Rich Green of Lafayette and John Modell of the Minnehaha Center found evidence of graves in the cultivated field, perhaps infant or juvenile. Angela will follow up with the owner, Mr. Hall. The commission voted to offer $100 in expenses to Rich Green, along with its thanks. 6. The Christmas get-together will be held at Christopher's Restaurant on Monday, Dec. 5.

Respectfully submitted
T. Hamm
Secretary