Henry County Indiana Cemetery Commission
2007 Meeting Minutes

Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes for January 25, 2007

Commissioners present: Bud Bush, Donna Tauber, Mike Burch, Ann Holmes
Public Present: Todd Hiday, Andrew Hiday, Helen Wildermuth, Ken Holmes, Diane Brown, Brad Manzenberger, Angela Tielking, Mark Davis, and Gene Clark.
1. The minutes of October 26, 2006 were approved.
2. Election of Officers was held. The 2007 Officers are: Donna Tauber, President Mike Burch, Vice-President Tom Hamm, Secretary Ann Holmes, Treasurer
3. The Treasurer reported that the commission had $7005.25 in the account as of today with $5000 being marked for the Painter Cemetery.
4. Andrew Hiday presented his plan to restore Leaky-Wisehart Cemetery (Hubbel) to earn his Eagle Scout badge. His plan was approved by the Commission. He will finish this plan by December 10, 2007.
5. The Lebanon Baptist Cemetery Historical sign has been ordered by the Henry County Historical Society.
6. $50 was received from Judith McMahan to pay for material to mount the sign. If cost run over $50, trustee Mike Burch will pay the additional cost.
7. We heard from two groups bidding on the restoration of Painter Cemetery; Stonehugger Cemetery Restoration and Stone Revival Cemetery Restoration. Their bids seemed similar. The Stonehugger Cemetery Restoration spokesperson, Helen Wildermuth, amended her bid to say she would restore 50% of the restoration work needed in the Keesling Cemetery for free if her bid was accepted. She also said she would finish the other 50% of work needed if she got further work done on the Painter Cemetery in 2008.
8. Diane Brown, a spokesperson for the Keesling Cemetery, gave us her update on their need to have 8 stones repaired by April 2007.
9. It was suggested we also try for a grant from the Community Foundation for needed supplies.
The next meeting will be February 22, 2007 at 6:00 pm at the Historical Society.

Ann Holmes


Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, Feb. 22, 2007

Commissioners Present: U. Bush, T. Hamm, A. Holmes, D. Tauber
Present from the Public: Ken Holmes
1. The minutes of the meeting of January 25 were approved as previously distributed.
2. The treasurer's report showed a balance of $7,055.25, $5,000 of which is designated for work at the Painter Cemetery.
3. The commission voted to pursue a $10,000 grant application to the Henry County Community Foundation. The grant money will be used for equipment. Our priorities are a powered wheelbarrow, a chopper, and a portable water tank. Ken and Ann Holmes and Donna Tauber will develop the application and attend the March 14 meeting for potential applicants.
4. Andrew Hiday continues to plan work at the Leakey-Wisehart Cemetery in Liberty Township. Members of the commission will continue to work with him.
5. Ann Holmes reported that a plat map of markers in the Painter Cemetery had been located and has been donated to the Henry County Historical Society. It was then used to locate the tombstone of George Rinker (1766-1843).
6. The commission voted to award a contract to Helen Wildermuth for work at the Painter Cemetery. The contract will cover work on 8 extra-large markers at a total of $2,520 and 5 large markers at a total of $1,000, which the commission will identify. In return, we will ask her to undertake work on the George Rinker marker free of charge. It was reported that the Fall Creek Township trustee would replace the fence next year.
7. Hillsboro and Painter cemeteries were named as possible sites for Day of Caring work.
8. Priorities for the coming year will be work at the Paul, Batson, and Messick cemeteries.
9. The next meeting will be March 22, 2007, at 6:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Donna Tauber, President
Thomas Hamm, Secretary


Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, March 22, 2007

Commissioners present: U. Bush, T. Hamm, A. Holmes, and D. Tauber
Present from the public: K. Holmes, A. Tielking
1. The minutes of the meeting of February 22 were revised and approved.
2. The treasury shows a balance of $7,105.25. Ida Gladden made a $50 unrestricted contribution.
3. The commission approved a claim of $9.98 from U.E. Bush for supplies purchased.
4. Fall Creek Township Trustee Don Osborn has signed a permission slip for work at the Painter Cemetery. It is anticipated that we will soon have a final contract with Helen Wildermuth for work there.
5. Ken Holmes reported that he had attended the Henry County Community Foundation grant writing workshop on March 14. Priorities for our grant application will be the power wheelbarrow, a water tank, and a chipper.
6. Hillsboro Cemetery was suggested as a Day of Caring project, if comfort facilities can be made available.
7. Andrew Hiday has received permission from the Liberty Township trustee to work in the Leakey-Wisehart Cemetery. The Holmeses continue to advise him.
8. The president reported that the annual report had been submitted to the Indiana Historical Bureau.
9. The commission approved the expenditure of up to $500 in 2007 for maintenance of our equipment. Ken Holmes will handle this.
10. Work still remains to be done at Sugar Grove and in the Paul Cemetery.
11. The commission adjourned to meet Thursday, April 26, at 6:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
D. Tauber, President
T. Hamm, Secretary


Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, April 26, 2007

Commissioners present: Bud Bush, Ann Holmes, and Donna Tauber
Public present: Angela Telking, Mike Bunner, and Ken Holmes
1. The Minutes of the March 22, 2007 meeting were approved.
2. The treasury shows a balance of $ 3574.27. Two bills were paid from the previous month's balance. One check was to Bud Bush for $ 10.98 for brushes. One check for $ 3520 to Stonehugger Cemetery Restoration for work done to the Painter Cemetery per request of an anonymous donor. The check to Stonehugger was Check Number 10264 from the Henry County Community Foundation.
3. Helen Weldermuth of Stonehugger Cemetery Restoration reported that 85 % of work needed was done at the Keesling Cemetery per their agreement if they were granted the Painter Cemetery contract.
4. A nice note was read form Dr. Rinker for work done at the Painter Cemetery.
5. Ken and Ann Holmes reported meeting Mr. and Mrs. Barnes who own the land around Paul's Cemetery. They were given permission to restore the two Paul stones as per request of descendent.
6. Ken Holmes reported that he had taken all string trimmers and chain saws to Dennis Equipment for service. The work should be finished in a couple of weeks.
7. We were pleased to hear that our grant form the Community Foundation has been granted. We are to receive $ 2998.56 to purchase a powered wheelbarrow and a water tank to use in the cemeteries. We are working on details to finish this purchase.
8. Mr. Mike Bunner requested help in exploring and restoration of the Bunner Cemetery in Prairie Township near Luray. We will research this prior to the next meeting.
9. The next meeting will be May 24, 2007 at 6:00 pm.

The meeting was adjourned.
Ann Holmes for Tom Hamm - Sec.


Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, May 24, 2007

Commission members present: U.E. Bush, M. Burch, A. Holmes, D. Tauber, T. Hamm
Present from the public: Mike Bunner, Ken Holmes and American Legion Commander, Harold Carithers.
1. The minutes of the April meeting were approved as previously distributed.
2. The treasurer reported the following expenditures: equipment service: $103.00 Dennis Equipment purchase of power barrow, water tank, & wagon $2171.80 purchase of sprayer: $126.76+ Henry County Foundation. No other claims were submitted.
3. The Bunner Cemetery near Luray in Prairie Township was discussed. At one time 20-25 markers were visible, but only a handful of stones remain. A Revolutionary veteran named Fulton is supposed to be buried here. The owner allows access to the site.
4. Ann Holmes has prepared an article on the work at the Leakey-Wisehart Cemetery.
5. We hope to obtain newspaper coverage for work at the Painter and other cemeteries, especially in the Middletown News. (and Anderson Herald)
6. A notebook showing the work done at the Livezey Cemetery in Prairie Township was shared. Kudos to Mike Burch for funding the work there. (and helping with the grant from the Foundation)
7. The president reported that she had submitted our annual report to the Indiana Historical Bureau.
8. Ken Holmes is working on the Isaac and Mercy Paul markers in the Paul Cemetery.
9. It was reported that some stones are down in the Friends Cemetery at Cadiz.
10. About $1,500 is left from the funds donated for work at the Painter Cemetery. The commission approved using these funds for the purchase of sand, pea gravel, and epoxy for work there. Ken will talk to Henry County Highway Department for help on storing and using their materials.
11. The next workday at the Leakey-Wisehart Cemetery will be June 2.
12. The commission adjourned, with next meeting scheduled for June 28 at 6:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Donna Tauber, President
Thomas Hamm, Secretary


Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, June 28, 2007

Commissioners present: Bud Bush, Mike Burch, Donna Tabor, and Ann Holmes
Public present: Angela Tielking, Michael Bunner, Todd Hiday, and Ken Holmes
1. The Minutes of the May 24, 2007 meeting were approved.
2. The treasury shows a balance of $ 3471.19.
3 .Todd Hiday reported that Andrew Hiday was wanting to work in the Hubble/Leakey-Wisehart Cemetery on August 10th, 11th, and 12th.
4. Donations were received from Mr. & Mrs. Merrill Main and Carolyn Jacobs.
5. The Day of Caring will be held on September 11, 2007. The Commission will work on the Hillsboro Cemetery with Painter Cemetery as a backup. Donna will contract Helen Weldermuth of Stonehugger Cemetery Restoration to ask for assistant on that date.
6. Ken Holmes reported that the work on Isaac and Mercy Paul's stones was complete.
7. Ann Holmes reported that Joe Wiley, Superintendent of County Highways, gave permission to use the stone and sand stored at the county highway department.
8. The commissions expressed thanks to the Courier-Times for printing the article about Andrew Hiday working on the Hubbell/Leakey-Wisehart Cemetery.
9. Michael J Bunner submitted a proposal to restore the Bunner Cemetery in Prairie Township. The commission will take this under consideration.
10. The next meeting will be held on July 26, 2007.

The meeting was adjourned
Ann Holmes for Tom Hamm - Sec.


Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, July 26, 2007

Commissioners present: Bud Bush, Donna Tauber, and Ann Holmes
Public present: Angela Tielking, Michael Bunner, and Ken Holmes
1. The Minutes of the June 28, 2007 meeting were approved.
2. The treasury shows a balance of $ 3471.19.
3. Helen Weldermuth of Stonehugger Cemetery Restoration will assist Andrew Hiday with the Hubbell/Leakey-Wisehart Cemetery restoration beginning at 7:00 am on August 11, 2007.
4. Hillsboro Cemetery will be the primary worksite for the Day of Caring on September 11, 2007. Gene Clark is willing to provide a Porta-Potty and Mike Burch will be asked to provide a water truck.
5. The Community Foundation will be notified that the new equipment will be used at the Day of Caring and the final report will be completed.
6. Mike Bunner gave an update on the Bunner Cemetery in Prairie Township. The owner will let us have access to the cemetery after the harvest of the soybeans. The prospect of removing the cemetery from the tax rolls was discussed.
7. The Commission agreed to proceed with the Phase 1 and 2 of Mr. Bunner's proposal.
8. The Commission approved a request to purchase epoxy for the repair of stones.
9. The next meeting will be held on August 23, 2007 at 6:00pm at the Historical Society Building.

The meeting was adjourned
Ann Holmes for Tom Hamm - Sec.


Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, August 23, 2007

Commissioners present: U.E. Bush, T. Hamm, A. Holmes, D. Tauber
Present from the Public: Ken Holmes, Margaret McDaniel, Maureen McDaniel
1. The minutes of the meeting of July 26 were approved as previously distributed.
2. Treasurer Ann Holmes reported that the balance of funds remains $3,471.19.
3. The commission noted a claim for $47.50 for purchase of epoxy from Hilgartner Natural Stone Co. by Ann Holmes, which had been previously authorized.
4. The president distributed an inventory of the commission's equipment.
5. Margaret and Maureen McDaniel expressed an interest in the care of the Hillsboro Cemetery. The commission welcomed their help in cleaning up and expressed a willingness to advise them if they would like to undertake work in the cemetery.
6. The Day of Caring is Sept. 11. Hillsboro Cemetery will be our project.
7. The report for the Henry County Community Foundation is being finalized.
8. It was noted that Monroe Township in Delaware County had received a grant from the Delaware County Community Foundation for care of its pioneer cemeteries.
9. Jeff Ray has expressed an interest in having one of the Indiana Historical Bureau's Pioneer Cemetery markers placed in every eligible cemetery in the county. As a first step, the commission voted to engage in a joint venture to procure signs for the Current, Bundy, and Rogersville Cemeteries in Stony Creek Township.
10. Work is almost complete at the Leakey-Wisehart Cemetery in Liberty Township.
11. U.E. Bush shared a letter from Michael Conway, expressing an interest in seeing further work done in the Kessinger Cemetery in Blue River Township. He would like to see weeds killed and the Miles Conway marker reset.
12. The commission authorized the expenditure of up to $50 for Roundup.
13. The commission adjourned to meet Thursday, Sept. 27 at 6:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
D. Tauber, President
T. Hamm, Secretary


Henry County Cemetery Commission Minutes, Sept. 27, 2007

Commissioners present: M. Burch, U.E. Bush, T. Hamm, and D. Tauber
Present from the Public: Angela Tielking and Mike Bunner
1. The minutes of the meeting of Aug. 23 were approved as previously distributed.
2. In the absence of the treasurer, no financial report was given and no claims submitted.
3. The president reported on a successful day of Caring project at Hillsboro Cemetery. She thanked Ken and Ann Holmes for making arrangements.
4. The president reported that township trustees could apply for grants for cemetery restoration.
5. Jeff Ray is trying to raise funds for Indiana Historical Bureau markers for three cemeteries in Stony Creek Township.
6. Work is almost complete at the Leakey-Wisehart Cemetery in Liberty Township. The commission acknowledged the work of Andrew Hiday and his family here.
7. Some work has been done at the Kessinger Cemetery in Blue River Township.
8. The annual dinner was set for Monday, Nov. 26, at 6 P.M. at the Highway 38 Restaurant in New Castle. The winner of the 2007 Volunteer of the Year award was selected and approval given for the president to purchase an appropriate plaque (apr. $25.00)
9. The Central Indiana Land Trust is interested in the Bundy, Current, and Rogersville cemeteries and would like to establish ownership. Angela and Donna will follow up.
10. Interest has been expressed in the long-abandoned Bunner Cemetery near Luray in Prairie Township. At one time 50 markers were visible, but few no remain. A Revolutionary soldier, Col. Samuel Fulton, is supposed to be buried there.
11. Due to Fall Break, the next meeting of Oct 25th is rescheduled for October 18th

Respectfully submitted,
Donna Tauber, President
Thomas Hamm, Secretary


Henry County Cemetery Minutes, October 18th, 2007

Commissioners present were Donna Tauber and Bud Bush.
No members of the public were present.
1. No official business was conducted due to a lack of Quorum.
2. Tauber reported that the Henry County Foundation Grant Report had been filed and was completed. The article in the recent New Castle Courier Times provided proof of publicity on receiving the grant, and how it was spent. The article focused on the Day of Caring and the work that was done at Hillsboro Cemetery that day, with the help of the new equipment that the grant purchased.
3. Bud will contact Mr. Rinker to see if he is interested in having a Historical Bureau sign placed in the Painter Cemetery and how it should read, we may have the funding allowed to provide this sign.
4. Sales tax exemptions were discussed - Bud will check with the Commissioners office to see how we use the county sales tax exemption. (*have we been doing this?)
5. The Holliday Gathering was confirmed for MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH at 6 pm at the Highway 38 Restaurant in New Castle. Board Members and Advisory Board Members are asked to attend with their families to enjoy each other's fellowship, and to present the 2007 Volunteer of the Year Award. Meals are the responsibility of each person or family.
6. Donna and Angela will meet with the Central Indiana Land Trust persons on November 2nd to discuss a working relationship between our two entities.
7. THERE WILL BE NO MEETING IN NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER due to the holidays. Discussion was held on combining the October meetings for updates with the Henry County Preservation Commission. Traditionally, there is no quorum for our commission in October due to Fall Breaks. This will be further discussed at the next meeting. The next meeting will be on January 24th at 6 pm at the Henry County Historical Society.

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