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Cemetery advisory board approves minutes, reviews staffing, flagpole request and hedge safety at New Hill
Summary
At its April 10 meeting, the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Cemetery Advisory Board approved minutes, heard a staffing update from Director Mike Marker, considered a flagpole request from AOH for Mount Carmel Cemetery and agreed to trim hedges at New Hill for sightline and safety concerns.
The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Cemetery Advisory Board approved the draft minutes of July 10, 2024, and discussed staffing, a community flagpole request and safety trimming at New Hill during its April 10 meeting.
Cemetery Director Mike Marker called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. and reported that seasonal employees began work on April 7. He said the department currently has seven employees and expects that number to fall to five in May when two employees transfer to the Noxious Weed Department. Marker told the board the department has received one employment application to date and that an ad seeking more applicants will run next week in the Anaconda Leader.
On a requested installation by the organization identified in the minutes as AOH, the board discussed allowing a flagpole in AOH's plot at Mount Carmel Cemetery. The board said the pole should not be "too tall," recommended a telescoping or collapsible design for maintenance, and agreed that AOH would be responsible for maintenance and for repairing any damage caused during installation.
Marker raised a safety issue at New Hill Cemetery, saying hedges east of the west entrance are blocking sightlines for drivers entering and leaving the cemetery. The board agreed to remove only what is necessary to restore clear sightlines for worker and visitor safety.
During public comment, board member Mary Stallings praised newly installed blue reflectors in New Hill and raised several maintenance and administrative items: the cemetery budget and current burial fees; plans to repair the kiosk plexiglass and how often the kiosk directory will be updated; whether an employee named Rob Baillie remains with the department; removal of nonconforming shepherd hooks; possible volunteer projects; straightening the sister-of-charity sign; and lighting of the flag in Mount Olivet.
Board member Mark Callison asked about the cemetery mill levy, discussed responsibility for flags and said he will contact Phil at the American Legion about flag maintenance. He also raised cleanup of the Baby Land area in Lower Hill. Board member Al Forsman asked whether there are available plots near his family plots in New Hill and inquired about the process for leveling headstones.
A procedural motion to approve the July 10, 2024, draft minutes was made by Board member Mark Callison, seconded by Board member Al Forsman, and passed 4-0. Director Marker thanked attendees and adjourned the meeting at 2:58 p.m.
The advisory board did not take further formal action on the flagpole request or the hedge trimming at this meeting; both items remain subject to subsequent staff coordination and any required approvals.
