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Glacier County approves lawnmower and 17 polymer vault liners for West End Cemetery
Summary
Glacier County commissioners approved purchase of a $5,137.92 lawnmower and 17 Triton Grama polymer liners costing $7,565 for the West End Cemetery Board, citing lighter, less breakable vaults and reduced labor and shipping needs.
Glacier County commissioners approved two purchases for the West End Cemetery on Tuesday: a $5,137.92 lawnmower and 17 Triton Grama polymer liners priced at $7,565 from Medallion Vault and Casket Company.
The purchase of the lawnmower was introduced as a maintenance priority after commissioners and cemetery representatives described frequent equipment failures. Unidentified Speaker 2 said the county had solicited multiple written quotes; Unidentified Speaker 1 described the new mower as “the first nice lawnmower that our new employee has had,” and said the existing equipment was only intermittently serviceable.
The commissioners also approved a purchase of 17 polymer vault liners, which proponents described as lighter, stackable and less prone to cracking than concrete vaults. “This is the way most everybody’s going,” Unidentified Speaker 1 said, explaining that polymer liners reduce handling labor and shipping costs and can be stored indoors. The vendor named in the motion was Medallion Vault and Casket Company, identified in discussion as based in Billings.
Commissioners moved and approved both purchases by voice vote. Unidentified Speaker 3 moved to approve the lawnmower purchase at $5,137.92; Unidentified Speaker 1 seconded and commissioners voted in favor. For the liners, Unidentified Speaker 1 moved and Unidentified Speaker 3 seconded the $7,565 purchase; the motion carried by voice vote.
Officials said the county plans to keep a stockpile and expects to order more liners when funds are available; a May funding cycle was mentioned as the next likely opportunity to purchase additional units. Speakers also described further equipment needs at the cemetery, including a mini-excavator/backhoe and a dedicated lowering device for burials; the lowering device was discussed in a price range of roughly $8,000 on the low end to about $12,000 for the preferred model.
The approved purchases address immediate maintenance needs and aim to reduce labor intensity for cemetery staff and volunteers. The commissioners recorded the approvals during their regular meeting in Browning.
