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Orange County approves $302,000 for compact tractor at Veterans Memorial Cemetery; building upgrades planned
Summary
The Ways and Means Committee approved a $302,000 supplemental appropriation (bonding request no. 067) to buy a subcompact utility tractor for the Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery and heard an update on planned building repairs, HVAC replacement and new records software.
The Orange County Ways and Means Committee approved a supplemental appropriation of $302,000 on a bonding request (No. 067) to purchase a subcompact utility tractor for the Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery and heard plans to renovate the cemetery office building.
The equipment purchase was presented as a tool to reduce wear from larger machines and allow a single operator to perform grave and cremation hole digging, according to cemetery staff. "This piece of equipment is gonna be great for tuning up frames. It's gonna be great for digging cremation holes," Dave Antczak, superintendent of the Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, said. Antczak said the smaller machine will reduce the need to use a 16,000-pound excavator on grass areas and can be operated by one laborer.
Committee members also heard an update on improvements to the cemetery office building. Staff said the building, originally a prefabricated structure more than 25 years old, has received a renovated front entrance and ADA-compliant automatic doors. Planned work includes a new HVAC system, a new roof and exploration of replacement siding. The office also recently acquired additional filing cabinets and will implement new software for veteran counselors to reduce reliance on paper records.
Presenters noted a personnel and regulatory detail about the equipment: some county equipment operators are covered by the county's transit/drug-testing rules and may be required to hold a commercial driver's license for certain tasks, which affects operator assignment and testing requirements.
The committee moved and seconded the appropriation; the chair called the question and the motion carried with an affirmative voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the public minutes.
The approvals cover the purchase of the compact tractor only; speakers said larger excavation equipment and other cemetery needs remain in the department inventory. Several commissioners thanked Antczak and cemetery staff for their work maintaining the grounds and noted that ongoing interior storage and records issues will be addressed as staff roll out the new software and filing system.
