Turkey Creek Cemeteries In The Limelight
During the regular monthly meeting of the Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board Monday evening, Dennis Darr was reelected as board president for 2014 and John Heckaman was welcomed as the newest board member.
“I’ve been here all my life and I have an interest in the township and helping the fire department,” the Syracuse marine contractor explained. Heckaman was appointed to the board effective Jan. 1 to fill the unexpired term of Bill Dixon.
In her report, Turkey Creek township trustee, Barb Griffith, reported the cemetery mowing contractor is not satisfied with the amount received for the work, and would like to receive a breakdown of payment per cemetery.
Board member Kim Cates wondered if bids should be requested from the public for the mowing. Dennis Darr, board president, suggested working with the current contractor first, as the company has done a good job mowing in the past. Board members agreed with Darr’s suggestion.
Griffith also reported she has received emails from two cemetery restoration companies interested in restoring the township’s cemeteries later this year.
Last year, two estimates were presented for the complete restoration of all six township cemeteries. The restoration includes resetting and repairing toppled and broken tombstones and cleaning historic stones. The first estimate, from Brad Manzenberger Stone Revival Historical Preservation, came in at $35,525. The second estimate, from StoneHugger Cemetery Restoration, came in at $108,025.
During Fall 2013, the township approved Brad Manzenberger to restore the smallest township cemetery, Weybright.
Griffith reported the work done at Weybright Cemetery was acceptable, but she feels the second restoration company could do a better job. However, the second restoration company charges significantly more for their services.
The board voted to table the cemetery restoration decision until the next regular monthly meeting in February.
In other business, the board voted to keep David Cates as the township attorney for 2014; Kim Cates abstained from voting. The board also voted to nominate Steve Snyder, Syracuse, for the fifth seat on the Turkey Creek Fire Territory Board to replace Brad Jackson. The nomination will be presented at the next fire territory meeting.
The Turkey Creek Township Advisory Board meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at Syracuse Fire Station 2.