By HOLLY GASKILL
Perhaps in perfect timing for October, local cemeteries were the prominent topic of conversation for Wells County Commissioners Monday night.
Multiple members of the commissioner-appointed cemetery board brought discussion regarding the Old County Farm Cemetery. The adjacent property, board member Bill Dowdy said, has significantly overstepped the property line into the cemetery.
The board members said the property owner recently purchased and built on the land. Since building, increasing items have crossed over into the cemetery property, board member Jerri Lehman explained. Lehman provided photos of these issues, including large dog houses, two propane tanks, and various junk and furniture on cemetery property.
Commissioner Mike Vanover asked how far these items cross into the county property. Dowdy estimated the kennels were 60-80 ft. into the property. “So it’s pretty flagrant,” Vanover concluded.
The commissioners instructed County Attorney Ted Storer to draft a letter to the property owner regarding the issue.
Similarly, Thomas Jester told the commissioners a farm had planted crops within the easement of a cemetery and its driveway.
County Engineer Nate Rumschlag said the cemetery was documented as the “Old Uniontown Cemetery,” and he hasn’t been able to determine information on the driveway to the cemetery. However, he stated there is stone underneath the crops.
Rumschlag advised the county needs to determine ownership and whether to maintain the driveway. According to Surveyor Jarrod Hahn, the cemetery was deeded to “the citizens of Uniontown.”
Cemetery board member Connie Brubaker advised she had recorded the cemetery in 1999, and there was a road leading to the cemetery at the time. Additionally, she asked the commissioners to take over the abandoned cemetery so it could be maintained.
The commissioners voted 3-0 to re-gravel the road after crops are harvested.
Larry Heckber, Jefferson Township trustee, then addressed the commissioners regarding his concern about the trustee’s maintenance of the county cemeteries. Heckber advised he had repaired two cemeteries under his jurisdiction but thinks many township trustees are unaware of the responsibility. Subsequently, many of these cemeteries have fallen into disrepair from vandalism, plant overgrowth, or general wear.
“I just have a passion for taking care of the old cemeteries,” Heckber said.
Heckber asked the commissioners to contact the trustees about this responsibility, and they obliged.
“There would be no reason why the commissioners couldn’t have a friendly letter to the independently elected trustees to remind them of their obligation to maintain a cemetery,” Storer advised. Storer also suggested Heckber contact the state government for assistance with the matter.
holly@news-banner.com
