Multiple recommendations from the Winamac Cemetery Committee came before Town Council members when they met this month.
Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger told members that the group has been meeting regularly and they had come across a few things that would require council approval before they could move forward.
One suggestion included hiring Dan McKinley to plot a new section of the cemetery that will be installed. Berger noted that he has been coordinating with Town Manager Brad Zellers and the committee felt he would be the best person for the job.
They also presented members with a draft of a job description for cemetery agents to inform them how the property should look before and after graves are dug and filled in. Councilwoman Judy Heater said this document will ensure that the process is done properly and respectfully.
The committee also asked the council to sign off on a price increase. They recommended raising the plot fees from $250 to $400 and raising the maintenance fee from $50 to $200.
Berger said that will help with necessary maintenance. The fees for the cemetery were initially set in 2013 and they haven’t been raised since then. Councilwoman Judy Heater commented that the current fees are lower than average.
In addition to those matters, Winamac Cemetery Committee proposed naming the new section the McFarland Addition. Heater said they wanted to name it after former councilman Ken McFarland since he played a very important role in getting the project off the ground.
Members considered all of the recommendations in one motion which passed with unanimous council approval.
