[00:00:01]
>> PRESIDENT B. MICHAEL: OKAY. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE MAY 6,
[1. Call To Order]
MEETING OF THE OINT SHARON TOWNSHIP/WORTHINGTON CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER, MEETING TO ORDER.MS. THRESS, CAN YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL?
>> PRESIDENT B. MICHAEL: HERE. WILL EVERYONE PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG? YOU. PLEASE BE SEATED.
[4.A. Resolution No. 23-2019 Levy Tax for the Cemeteries]
OKAY, WE HAVE NEW LEGISLATION TO BE INTRODUCED.RESOLUTION 23-2019. LEVY TAX FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE UNION CEMETERY, DBA WALNUT GROVE AND FLINT CEMETERY FOR THE TAX COLLECTION YEAR OF 2020. INTRODUCED BY MR. OBERLE, MOVED FOR ADOPTION BY MS. DOROTHY, SECONDED BY MR. FOUST.
MR. GREESON, WILL TURN A OVER PRESENTATION.
>> M. GREESON: MAYOR AND MEMBERE SHARON TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES, EVERY YEAR THEY MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO YOUR JOINT MEETING FOR THE CONTINUED LEVYING OF THE TAX FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR COMMUNITY'S CEMETERIES.
I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO MRS ALWAYS, PRESENTS THE INTEREST OF THE CEMETERY IN A DISTINGUISHED FASHION.
>> THANK YOU. I AM THE CHAIR F THE CEMETERY TRUSTEES, THE OTHER CHAIR JOHN OBERLE AND RACHAEL DOROTHY.
WE'RE HERE TO ASK FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THE ONE-HALF OF ONE MILL FOR THE YEAR 020 FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CEMETERIES. I ALSO KNOW YOU HAVE A LONG AGENDA AND WANT TO GET ON WITH IT.
IF YOU WOULD PERMIT ME, I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF THINGS DURING THE LAST YEAR. WITH THAT, I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT IF THERE IS MORE INFORMATION THAT YOU WOULD LIKE ABOUT THE CEMETERIES AND WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE TWO OF THEM, WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO MAKE A SEPARATE MEETING WITH INDIVIDUALS OR THE GROUP. I NEED TO REMIND US ALL THAT THE CEMETERIES ARE A PART OF THE FABRIC OF THE CITY OF WORTHINGTON AND THE TOWNSHIP AND THEY ARE PART OF THE EVENTS OF THIS COMMUNITY. AND ONE EXAMPLE IS THIS HISTORIC SOCIETY, WHO ENHANCES THE UNDERSTANDING OF UR RESIDENTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF WORTHINGTON AND SHARON TOWNSHIP.
AND IN THIS CASE, THEY HAPPEN TO BE DOING A GHOST WALK.
SO GHOST WALK HAS TO BE AT NIGHT, OF COURSE.
AND AMAZINGLY ENOUGH, THEY HAVE DONE THREE YEARS, AND IT'S BEEN A SELL-OUT CROWD. A SELL-OUT BEING SOMETHING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 125 PEOPLE IN THE EVENING, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT. AND I HAVE HEARD MANY PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT AND HOW INTERESTING IT WAS.
AND GLAD THEY DID IT AND HEARD ABOUT THE HISTORY.
ONE THAT YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN, ONE PERSON SAID, YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY DARK IN THE CEMETERY AT NIGHT.
WELL, IF ANYBODY WANTS A FLASHLIGHT CONCESSION AT THE NEXT ONE, THERE IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY.
LET'S GO FROM WALNUT GROVE CEMETERY TO FLINT AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE COMPLETED IS THE OPENING OF THE BEHIND THE GA GARDEN, THE MEDITATION GARDEN, THAT'S AN ALL-CREMATION AREA.
[00:05:03]
THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS YOU CAN BURY AND HAVE CREMATED REMAINS BE THERE. YOU CAN HAVE A NATURAL BURIAL.OR YOU CAN PUT IT IN AN URN. SO THAT WAS QUITEBY WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT FOR A LONG TIME. AND FINALLY HAVE THAT OPENED.
AS YOU KNOW, WE ACQUIRED THE HOME ON FLINT ROAD, WHICH IS THE ORIGINAL HOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT STARTED THE FLINT CEMETERY.
AND WITH THAT HOME, WE INHERITED THE HISTORIC AND ALL THE HISTORY THAT'S BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT CITY AND THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY.
WHAT YOU -- GAVE ME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS.
SO, AT THE GARDENER HOMESTEAD THERE HAS BEEN A RUMOR I HEARD FOR YEARS THERE AS A TUNNEL BETWEEN -- FROM THE ROOT CELLAR TO THE CREEK TO THE HOUSE. AS WE ACQUIRED THE BUILDING, I TALKED TO A WOMAN WHO HAD LIVED THERE IN THE 1940S AND SHE SAID YES, I PLAYED IN THAT. BUT HER GRANDFATHER FILLED IT IN. IT'S A CURIOUS THING FOR US.
WHERE IS IT? AND THROUGH JULIE WEATHERTEN RICE WHO MOST OF YOU KNOW, AND A TEAM LED BY DR. BARRY ALFRED WHO WAS A RESEARCH, AGRICULTURAL ENGINEER, THEY BROUGHT IN SOME GROUND RADAR TO TRY TO TRACK IT AND SEE WHAT THEY COULD FIND.
THEY HAVE BEEN IN THERE TWICE. AND GOT ENCOURAGING INFORMATION.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE GRAY THING ON THE BOTTOM, YOU WILL SEE AT THE LOWER PARTS SOME ARCHES. IT'S -- THERE IS A LOT OF HOPE NOW THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND WHERE THAT TUNNEL WAS.
THEY STILL HAVE MORE WORK TO DO ON IT.
BUT IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CONTINUE WITH.
YOU MAY RECALL THAT WE ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY FOR TWO THINGS.
ONE, IS TO HAVE OUR FOREVER OFFICE IN THE BLUE.
AND ALSO TO HAVE STORAGE AREA FOR OUR EQUIPMENT.
THE WORKING ON THE TUNNEL IS EXTRANEOUS INFORMATION FOR US.
BY THE WAY, ALL OF THAT IS BEING DONE FREE BY LAWN INTERIORS, NOT AT OUR EXPENSE. OUR NEXT STEP THEN WAS TO DEVELOP A MASTER PLAN, BOTH FOR THE HOME WHAT WILL BE OUR OFFICE, AND FOR OUR SITE. THIS MASTER PLAN WAS APPROVED BY THE TRUSTEES LAST I THINK P APRIL 17.
NOW, WHAT IS THE MASTER PLAN? THIS IS A LONG-TERM PLAN.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO COMPLETE IT ALL, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SITE PLAN, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE.
THIS IS THE GUIDELINES NOW AFOR US, WHO ARE WORKING THERE AND FOR FUTURE PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE WORKING AT THE CEMETERY.
THEN THE SITE PLAN, LET'S SEE, ON THAT, SEE WHERE THE THREE HOUSES ARE TOGETHER? IF YOU GO O THE LOWER HOUSE, R THE LOWER WHITE AND BLACK, THAT IS THE HOUSE. NOW, AND THAT IS WHERE WE EXPECT TO HAVE OUR OFFICE MAYBE OPEN IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, INITIALLY OPERATIONAL IN A CUP OF YEARS.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SITE PLAN, THE SECOND PURPOSE OF THE PROPERTY WAS FOR STORAGE. MASTER PLANS.
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IS THIS GOING TO BE DONE IN HE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS? AND THE ANSWER TO THAT IS MY GOODNESS, NO.THERE IS SOME THINGS ON HERE WE MAY BE 25 YEARS OR MORE BEFORE WE ARE ABLE TO GET TO THOSE. BUT WE HAVE THE GUIDANCE.
AND THIS ONE ALSO SHOWS A PATH AND A LITTLE BRIDGE THAT GOES ACROSS THE CREEK INTO THE CEMETERY.
PEOPLE THAT COME TO THE OFFICE DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE BACK OUT ON THE STREET AND GET AROUND TO DRIVE INTO THE CEMETERY AGAIN.
THE COMPLETION OF THE TWO MASTER PLANS WAS A VERY SIGNIFICANT STEP. AND THE TRUSTEES NOW HAVE A LOT OF HARD WORK AHEAD OF THEM. BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE TO START PHASING IN TO WHAT IS NEXT. HOW MUCH DO WE TAKE THIS YEAR? AND WHERE ARE WE GOING? SO THAT'S WHAT WE'LL BY DOING.
--BE DOING. LOOKING AT PLANS ARE KIND OF FUN. TALK ABOUT THE GHOST WALK, THAT'S ALL KIND OF FUN. BUT I HAVE TO REMIND ALL OF US THAT OUR BUSINESS IS WITH LIVE PEOPLE.
AND PEOPLE COME TO THE CEMETERY GRIEVING AND IN NEED.
THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE FRONT LINE FOR THAT.
TOM CEATTI AND LANE RUSSELL, ARE THE TWO -- THAT NEED TO SHOW COMPASSION AND WORK WITH THESE FOLKS.
AND THIS IS PART OF A NOTE THAT WAS SENT TO ELAINE.
ACTUALLY, LAUREN SAID, I WAS DEEPLY IMPACTED BY YOUR KIND WORDS OVER THE PHONE. THEN SHE WENT ONTO TALK ABOUT BEING ACHING IN DESPAIR. AND YET BEING ABLE TO REJOICE IN THE FACT THAT ONE PERSON, A STRONGER, WOULD REACH THEIR HEARTS ACROSS THE PHONE LINES IN MY TIME OF NEED.
ONE OTHER -- EXCUSE ME -- ONE OTHER EVENT THAT IS PART OF THIS COMMUNITY OF WORTHINGTON AND SHARON TOWNSHIP IS THE MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION AT WALNUT GROVE CEMETERY.
THIS, YOU GUYS, ACTUALLY, YOUR PREDECESSORS, REALLY TARTED THIS CELEBRATION 100 YEARS AGO, 1919.
SO WE ARE CELEBRATING 100 YEARS. ONCE AGAIN, WE WOULD INVITE YOU ALL AFTER THE PARADE TO BE AT THE PRESENTATION AT THE WALNUT GROVE CEMETERY. THANK OU FOR ALLOWING ME THE TIME TO SHARE WITH YOU. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THOSE. IF NOT, ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE ASKING FOR THE CONTINUATION OF ONE-HALF OF ONE MILL FOR THE YEAR 2020 FOR MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE CEMETERIES.
THANK YOU. >> PRESIDENT B. MICHAEL: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GIVING US A WONDERFUL PRESENTATION.
AND FILLING US IN ON THE NEW THINGS HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE OF THE CEMETERIES. APPRECIATE THAT.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING REGARDING THE RESOLUTION THAT'S BEEN INTRODUCED? IF NOT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
ALL THOSE OPPOSED, LIKE SIGN. IT IS PASSED.
[5. Other]
OKAY. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE WANTTO BRING UP AT THE MEETING? >> R. DOROTHY: I WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY COURTNEY CHAPMAN AND
[00:15:05]
JOHN OBERLE FOR THE WORK WE'VE BEEN DOING.HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE WORK AND PUTTING IN -- A LOT OF OVERTIME, A LOT OF HOURS. IT'S NOT OVERTIME BECAUSE IT'S DEFINITELY NOT PAID. BUT HOURS AND HOURS FOR ALL THE PLANNING FOR THIS NEW GARDENER PROPERTY.
THE CURRENT WALNUT GROVE CEMETERY KEEPS ON GETTING IMPROVED BUT MOST OF THE LOTS ARE BOUGHT.
THERE ARE OTHER INTERNMENT RIGHTS YOU CAN BUY.
BUT FLINT ROAD IS EXPANDING AND DOES CREATE SPACES FOR OTHER NEEDS AS THE WHOLE INDUSTRY EVOLVES, THERE IS DEFINITELY WAY MORE CREMATION CURRENTLY THAN WHEN THE CEMETERY STARTED.
THEY ARE BOTH TAKEN CARE OF SO NICELY.
IF YOU ARE VISITING A LOVED ONE OR A PLACE TO CONTEMPLATE, THEY ARE VERY PARK LIKE. I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH VERYONE IN SHARON TOWNSHIP AND THE WHOLE TRUSTEE
FAMILY. >> THANK YOU, MADAM PRESIDENT AND CHAIR. WE COME BEFORE THIS BODY ONCE A YEAR ASKING FOR THE CONTINUATION.
I WOULD SAY THIS BODY, BOTH WORTHINGTON, THE TOWNSHIP AND SPECIFICALLY THE STAFF AND CHAIRMAN, I THINK ARE EALLY GOOD STEWARDS OF THE PUBLIC DOLLARS.
THE PUBLIC HAS ENTRUSTED US WITH THIS MONEY.
WE'RE NOT JUST MOWING THE GRASS. WE'RE INVOLVED IN THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE, WE'RE INVOLVED IN THE BUILDING, THE RENOVATIONS, THEOSEM GARDENER PROPERTY IS GOING TO BE A CROWNED JEWEL.
IT'S BECAUSE OF PEOPLE. WE HAVE COURTNEY, I THINK I SAID LAST YEAR IS KIND OF THE ONE PERSON WHO EEPS IT ALL TOGETHER. EVERYONE BELIEVES IN COURTNEY AND HIS LEADERSHIP. HE INSPIRES US.
HE'S TAUGHT US HOW TO RUN AN ORGANIZATION AND HOW TO BE A BETTER, I THINK BETTER PEOPLE. AND HE INSPIRES, NOT ONLY ME, YOU KNOW, RACHEL, WE'RE SUCH A STRONG TEAM, I THINK BECAUSE OF COURTNEY'S GUIDANCE. WITH OM, ELAINE AND STAFF, THTHEYARE THE LEADERS. WE'RE A SMALL TOWNSHIP BUT WE'RE THE LEADERS THROUGH THE THE STATE.
PEOPLE COME TO US AND ASK FOR GUIDANCE.
THE REASON WE HAVE THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE.
I PUT MY TIME IN. BUT WE'VE GOT, WHETHER IT'S DEBORAH OR JOHN HOW WISEN OR JULIE RICE, WE GOT SUCH GREAT EXPERTISE THAT MAKE US A MUCH BETTER ORGANIZATION.
AND COURTNEY WENT INTO THE LEVEL OF SERVICE.
WE'RE NOT JUST THERE TO MAKE SALES.
WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES.
PEOPLE ARE COMING TO US IN THEIR HARDEST HOURS.
AND I COULD SAY THERE IS NOBODY BETTER THAN TOM AND ELAINE TO DEAL WITH THAT. IT'S AN HONOR TO BE PART OF THIS ORGANIZATION. AND WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SERVICE. THANK YOU.
>> PRESIDENT B. MICHAEL: ANYTHI? IF NOT, MS. DUFFEY MOVES TO ADJOURN. SECONDED BY
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.