Cemetery Board

Wednesday, October 9th, 2024 Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Chairperson, Rosemary Leshinski. Roll Call: Board members: Rosemary Leshinski, Lawerence Verga, Chris Gallagher. Clerk: Natalie Iafolla. Cemetery Sexton: David Leshinski. Liaison: Mr. Michael Sangacimo, Village Councilmember. Visitors: Carol King, Honor Wreaths of Lorain County, Emil Ruth, Lockes Go Green Current Agenda Approval: Larry Verga motioned to approve agenda, seconded by Chris Gallagher, with all in favor. Approval Minutes from 9/11/2024. Due to technical difficulties with e-mails, members did not receive minutes from 9/11. Approval of minutes from 9/11 and 10/9 will be approved at the 11/13 meeting. Presentation given by Carol King from Honor Wreaths of Lorain County. Ms. King would like permission to place a sign and order forms at the entrance of the cemetery for visitors to order wreaths for their veterans during the Christmas season. Carol also said she would be retrieving the wreaths she places in the spring. Chris Gallagher made a motion to move forward with this request, seconded by Larry Verga with all in favor. Presentation given by Emil Ruth regarding drainage proposals of Ludwig Ditch. Mr. Ruth has been in contact with Mr. Romancek from the county stormwater. Mr. Romancek stated that the project has been put on hold. Chris Gallagher will contact David Valentine to check for any updates, as David has also been in contact with Mr. Romancek. The board plan to pursue the issue. Financial reports: Financial Reports sent in e-mail. Motion made by Larry Verga and seconded by Rosemary Leshinski that financial reports have been received, with all in favor. Old Business: Software: Clerk reported that the software that is now being used by the cemetery is very outdated, difficult to use, and has limited backup. She was able to view the software that is currently being used by Grafton. CIMS provides the software. The cemetery clerk for Grafton, highly recommends this program and company. She stated that they use a basic program, there are many extras that can be added on if necessary. All information is stored in the cloud. The program is portable and can be used directly in the cemetery, which would be extremely helpful when locating and selling lots. The board requested the clerk get more information from the company. Columbarium: Information has been gathered and the board has requested that a meeting with Building and Grounds be arranged. The clerk was asked to secure a date and time for upcoming meeting. Tree Removal from Memorial Garden: Two large pine trees within the cemetery have been removed. The dead pine tree on the north side of the cemetery has been fallen over the bank to prevent it from damaging any monuments. Several branches from the birch tree on the north side of the cemetery have been removed, one still remains, Bob’s tree service will be notified. Every other pine from the west end of the Memorial Garden was removed, due to disease. It was noted that the lower branches of the remaining pines on the west of the Memorial Garden have been extremely trimmed and appear unsightly. Emil Ruth from Lockes Go Green will submit a bid to repair the landscaping. Clerk was asked to check if there was room in the budget to order replacement trees. Fall footer list: Clerk provided the list for fall footer; Emil will let us know when he will be available to install. Metal Markers: Larry Verga will continue to research costs metal grave markers that have interchangeable letters. He will have prices next month. Fallen 14: Chris Gallagher stated that the grant that she applied for will be making their decision in Nov. Field Cameras: Update on the dumping of resident garbage in the cemetery. Letter mailed to resident informing them to discontinue this practice. Clerk to check with David Valintine to have signs made “Cemetery Debris Only” and placed by a couple of the garbage containers. New Business: Clerk Update: On Thursday Oct. 3rd Clerk received a call from Stephanie Kender, who was very upset that a memorial bench at her parent’s (James and Billie White) gravesite had been disturbed. Rosemary proceeded to the cemetery about 10a.m. and took pictures. No damage to the monument itself was noted but one of the legs had moved in a diagonal fashion. Stephanie asked to meet with Clerk that afternoon. David L. also meant them. David L had gotten assistance with the mowers, who were mowing that afternoon to stabilize the bench with reference to our bi-laws 4.1. Stephanie was told that a meeting would be set up with Emil from Locke’s Go Green regarding the possibility of having a mower hit it. Stephanie was insistent to have the monument company come to do the repairs at the village expense. Clerk contacted the monument company which they said would be at least $300.00 to come out to make the adjustments needed. Clerk and David L. also met with Emil Ruth on Friday. Emil does not believe that the mowers hit and moved this monument. A motion was made by Chris Gallagher to have the monument company to make the repairs needed not to exceed $330.00. The motion was seconded by Rosemary Leshinski with all in favor. Cemetery Sexton Update: Continues to dress and gravesites. Several large sink holes where addressed. Assisted with two funerals. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Natalie Iafolla, Cemetery Clerk