THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE
Riverside Cemetery Sets Goals For The New Year
Issue Date: January 13, 2022
The Peshtigo Riverside Cemetery Annual meeting was held Monday, Jan. 10 prior to the regular cemetery meeting.
It was announced that 2021 was a productive year with mapping and signing of the cemetery completed along with placing of the Columbarium's.
President Mike Swiatnicki thanked Sexton John Garon and Assistant Grounds Keeper Wes Olson for the excellent job they are doing in keeping the cemetery looking fantastic over the past year. It is amazing how just a two person crew can get so much work done. Swiatnicki added, "We have a fantastic board, we all work well together, we get things done and move right along with any issues". He also thanked the City of Peshtigo for their financial assistance as well as their support and help as needed.
Some of 2022 goals include replacing of the lawnmower, finishing the roof issue on the mausoleum, a few electrical issues to take care of, we will be looking at cremains area projects, tree trimming is ongoing and always on the front line are the poor conditions of the roads.
Secretary Sally Witak then spoke letting the board know how much she appreciates everyones hard work and everyone working together very well. "We accomplished a lot". She then announced she will be stepping down as Secretary but will be staying on board as a Trustee". Treasurer Nancy Holzberger commented, "We appreciate your willingness to stay on the board. You still have a lot of valuable input to bring to the table".
The Annual meeting then closed and transitioned into the regular meeting with election of officers for the new 2022 year. All officers kept their same positions with the exception of Sally Witak who stepped down from the Secretary position. Amber Polzin was voted in to replace Witak. Other positions include: President, Mike Swiatnicki, Vice President, Lois Walters and Treasurer, Nancy Holzberger. Swiatnicki again echoed his comments of his appreciation for the workers, officers and trustees for all they do and how well everyone works together.
Holzberger stated the Forms Committee has been working on revising forms and should have a rough draft for the next meeting, for review and approval with two forms combined into one form. Swiatnicki asked the Committee to review the rough draft of the new form for any concerns or changes.
In his Sexton report, Garon announced that the Columbarium's are going very well. People are pre-paying for them upfront. He also said the guy that does the etchings on the plaques is moving out of the area but does return to the area about once a month to see his parents, so he is willing to continue the etchings once a month if needed. It was also approved to purchase a good air compressor. Holzberger encouraged Garon and Olson to do some investigating to make sure they get a quality compressor at a good price.
Garon added there were a total of 42 burials for the 2021 year including 21 full burials and 21 cremations. There were four full burials for November and December including: Helen Lindquist, Marian Jean Drees, Hazel Eleanor Bundy and Vernon George Lambrecht and Cremations included John William Webber and Richard Lee McDougal.
Grave sales for the 2021 year are at 28, including recent sales for November and December of three burials from Diana and Edward Diericks, Charles and Denise Baker and Janet Duffield for her husband William Duffield.
Holzberger advised she is looking at storage units that are closer to the area and there is an option of a 5x5 for $55.00/month at the old Shopko building in Marinette. She said, "It is climate controlled, so we won't have to worry about documents getting ruined, we could put all of our documents there for easy access rather than storing them at individuals homes". The idea was tabled to be carried over for next months meeting for further discussion. Also tabled was a discussion about a grave trailer to see what is out there and what the cost is. Both will be reviewed and brought back to the next meeting.
For a short period of time, the meeting went into closed session to discuss wages, benefits and duties of Sexton and Assistant Groundskeeper positions. After reconvening into open session, the Personnel Committee and Trustees announced the wages for Sexton Garon would go from $18.75 per hour to $19.25 and Assistant Groundskeeper would go from $14.00 per hour to $16.00, both effective immediately.
Committee appointments for the 2022 year include Finance: Amber Polzin, Steve Walters and Nancy Holzberger; Facilities and Grounds: Patti Stibbe, Kathy Crabtree and Mike Swiatnicki; Mapping and Signage: Kathy Crabtree and Lois Walters; Personnel: Sally Witak, Lois Walters, Patti Stibbe and Mike Swiatnicki; Cremation: Kathy Crabtree, Nancy Holzberger, Lois Walters and Amber Polzin; Forestry: Patti Stibbe, Nancy Holzberger, Mike Swiatnicki and Steve Walters and Public Relations: Kathy Crabtree and Amber Polzin. Swiatnicki advised he will have a handout for the next meeting listing all the committees and members of each committee.
There was a brief conversation about what the height restrictions are for monument stones. Holzberger mentioned she received a call with that question. Garon added he also received a call from a monument company asking if the cemetery removes monuments from the cemetery. The company wanted the cemetery to remove the monument with their backhoe. After a brief discussion, it was said there is no restriction at this time for the height of a monument other than a width restriction of 22" wide with the base that goes in the ground, It will be tabled to discuss and make a decision for the next meeting. In regards to removing a monument, it was stated it is not the responsibility of the cemetery to remove a monument, that is the responsibility of the monument company to remove or move any monument.
The next meeting will be on Monday, March 14 at 5:30 p.m.