Cemetery committee raises assistant sexton's pay, sets $40,000 capital outlay for tractor in 2025 budget

The joint cemetery committee for the towns of Doty, Mountain and Riverview voted Sept. 18, 2024 to raise Assistant Sexton Wayne O'Barski's hourly wage to $20, effective Jan. 1, 2025, and to set a $40,000 capital outlay in the proposed 2025 budget to help fund a tractor purchase.

The actions came during a meeting at Mountain's Bill Lazansky Community Center. Lindor “Skip” Maletzke moved for the wage increase; David Szepanski seconded and the motion carried. Clerk/Treasurer Lynn Kauzlaric told the committee that the Mountain electors will need to approve the wage change because the assistant sexton also serves as a town supervisor.

Committee members discussed how a tractor could help with traditional burials, remove large rocks and accept a snow blower attachment to replace some plowing tasks. Members estimated a tractor would cost about $15,000–$20,000 per town; the committee noted roughly $20,000 in carryover from 2023 and 2024 that would reduce the towns' immediate share. Andy Dryja moved to set capital outlay at $40,000; Lindor “Skip” Maletzke seconded and the motion carried. The committee will present the proposed budget and capital request to each town board for approval; Mountain could borrow for its portion, with loan repayments expected to begin in 2026 or 2027.

Clerk Kauzlaric had earlier reported that 2024 revenues currently exceed expenditures and that the expected surplus will carry into 2025. Committee members did not vote on the 2024 budget summary itself.

The committee adjourned at 8:08 p.m.; members scheduled their next meeting for April 30, 2025.