Neighbors seek to move utility pole into Sweezy Pioneer Cemetery corner; board asks staff for legal and easement answers

Representatives of the Jackson County Pioneer Cemetery Commission and nearby property owners described a request to relocate a utility pole and three meters into the corner of Sweezy Cemetery to improve farm-equipment access and safety. George Daugherty, speaking for the commission, said the cemetery is approximately two acres with about 40% of the land used for burials and that the Mayberry family proposed paying relocation costs and adding a gate and fence repairs.

George described the location and easement constraints and answered questions about whether the back corner has any known burials. "This cemetery is about 2 acres in size. About 40% of it is used for burials, and the other 60% is basically a hayfield at this point," George said. Neighbors and board members raised liability and easement questions and asked staff to confirm whether designation as a pioneer cemetery imposes state-level restrictions on placing permanent infrastructure. The Mayberrys said they would work with Gruen Electric and REC to arrange relocation and trenching for meters; the board kept the item on the agenda and asked staff to obtain REC contact/easement information and legal guidance before returning it for possible approval.