Chincoteague Reports

February 26, 2008 Cemetery Committee Meeting

During its February 26 meeting the Cemetery Committee discussed three matters: the cemetery clean-up fund, the Assateague cemetery conference and the March 12 cemetery clean up schedule.

The meeting was called to order at 5:30.  Members present were Terry Howard and Gary Turnquist.  Also present was Town Manager, Robert Ritter.

The cemetery clean-up fund was discussed.  We were fortunate that the dry weather last fall allowed us to forgo a final cutting, and as such, we are going into the year with a balance forward of $1,045.  We are fortunate that many of the town organizations have made a donation to the clean up fund, a line item in their budget, but every year we are in need of reminding them of just how important their contribution is to the clean up effort.

At the Assateague cemetery conference, in January, with Fish and Wildlife, the committee met, Dr. Ethel Eaton, with the Virginia Dept. of Historical Resources.  She mentioned to this writer that there was potential grant funding for historical projects associated with the cemeteries on Chincoteague, and a query for specifics has been sent to her office to explore this.  This suggestion by her was prompted by the fact that as a town committee, we had successfully created a clean-up fund, supported by private donation, and as such could compete in a matching funds proposal.  Our initial goal would be to hire professional help to straighten large, listing monuments, throughout our various cemeteries.

A clean-up date of March 12th has been set, to go through and clip several cemeteries of last years growth, before they get out of hand.  Any reader interested in helping should contact a committee member. 

The cemetery clean-up fund has become a vital resource in our efforts to present our public cemeteries, to our residents and visitors, in a positive light.  Even small donations add up;  every town resident has a stake in the overall appearance of our cemeteries.
   
Submitted by:  Gary M. Turnquist

N.B. These notes do not constitute the public record of this meeting. The information contained herein is offered in good faith, is presented as accurately as possible, is thought to be a complete account of the proceedings. These notes are intended to be a public service devoid of political commentary for those who are interested in following the civic affairs of Chincoteague Island. Notes of the meeting are recorded, transcribed and distributed by volunteers who receive no financial compensation for their efforts.

January 2008 Cemetery Committee Meeting

The Town Cemetery Committee met in the Christ Union Baptist cemetery again on January 12th to finish cleaning up the grounds.  In attendance were: Terry Howard,  Rick and Marylin Smith, Donna and Jim West, David Ross, Cary Howard and Rick Fusick.

The remainder of the cemetery was cleaned, new headstones were found, and the results can be found online at:

Accomac Roots

Scroll down the home page. Under Announcements, click on "Cleanup Pictures."

The committee met again at a U.S. Fish and Wildlife conference, at the Bateman Center, on Assateague Island, for the purpose of discussing preservation treatment for the cemeteries on that island.  After a morning discussion of the problem, the group toured the cemeteries to see their condition.  Gary Turnquist, will provide committee help to a citizens panel, loosely formed, to develop a preservation plan of what to do with the three cemeteries.   

The committee supports the efforts of Refuge Director, Lou Hinds, in choosing  to manage the cultural resources of Assateague Island, in a responsible way.

Notes by Gary Turnquist

N.B. These notes do not constitute the public record of this meeting.  The information contained herein is offered in good faith, is presented as accurately as possible, is thought to be a complete account of the proceedings.  These notes are intended to be a public service devoid of political commentary for those who are interested in following the civic affairs of Chincoteague Island. Notes of the meeting are recorded, transcribed and distributed by volunteers who receive no financial compensation for their efforts.

October 23, 2007 Cemetery Committee Meeting

The Cemetery Committee met at 5:30 p.m. on October 23, 2007.in the Town Council Chambers to consider three items of business: 1)  Cemetery Clean-up Week, 2) Repositioning of a Headstone and 3)  Marker Posts from Assateague Cemetery

Attendance
Members Present: Councilman Terry Howard, Councilwoman Ellen Richardson, Gary Turnquist
Staff Present:  Town Manager Robert Ritter.   

Cemetery Clean-up Week
The week of November 11-17 was designated as cemetery clean-up week, with November 17th as clean-up day.  This year the committee has selected the Christ Union Baptist Cemetery, on Willow St. behind the Carnival grounds, as our clean-up site.  This is one of the traditional black cemeteries on the Island, and there is a section that is very overgrown and in need of some heavy attention.The clean-up will begin at 9AM, and last until around noon  Rain date for this is Dec.1st.

Repositioning of a Headstone
Last week the committee repositioned the headstone of an infant, Norval A. Nutter, which had been discovered under the foundation of a house in the area.  The stone was placed in the Holy Ridge Cemetery, on north Main St.  The child had died on October 17, 1907, and October 17, 2007 seemed an appropriate date to place the stone in a proper setting.  As small plaque will be attached to the site to explain the circumstances of the repositioning.

Marker Posts from Assateague Cemetery
A request from David Snead, concerning marker posts from a cemetery on Assateague that have migrated over to cemeteries on Chincoteague, and the possibility of their return, was brought up.  It was the feeling of the committee that things should be left alone, that the circumstances of their transfer is unclear, and that they now represent the historical development of the cemeteries themselves.

With that, the meeting was adjourned, and our next scheduled meeting will be in the field on Nov. 17th.

 
Notes by Gary Turnquist

N.B. These notes do not constitute the public record of this meeting.  The information contained herein is offered in good faith, is presented as accurately as possible, is thought to be a complete account of the proceedings.  These notes are intended to be a public service devoid of political commentary for those who are interested in following the civic affairs of Chincoteague Island. Notes of the meeting are recorded, transcribed and distributed by volunteers who receive no financial compensation for their efforts.

January 23 Cemetery Committee Meeting

The Cemetery Committee met at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers to consider two main items of business:  1) Review and update of cemetery fund revenue and expenditures and 2) public outreach.

Members present:  Councilman Terry Howard, Councilwoman Ellen Richardson, Mr. Gary Turnquist

Staff present:  Robert Ritter, Town Manager

Audio of the meeting and the agenda and supporting materials are available at this link:
Audio and Agenda Materials

Review and update of Cemetery Fund
The carry over balance in the cemetery fund from calendar year 2006 to calendar year 2007 is $975.00. The Committee agreed to host a meeting of donors to the Cemetery Fund to thank them for their continued support and update them on how the funds were being spent.  Councilman Howard volunteered to call the various club presidents and make arrangements for the meeting.

The Committee agreed to meet on Tuesday, February 6th at 9:00 a.m. at the Ridge Cemetery on North Main Street to clean up any new growth from last summer and to explore the brick grave shelter that was discovered last April. 

The next quarterly meeting of the Cemetery Committee will be held on April 25th at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  However, weather permitting, the Committee will continue to schedule cemetery clean up days throughout the winter months.

Public Outreach
The cemetery clean up fund has proved to be a very useful resource in allowing the Town to purchase grass cutting services throughout the summer for the largest cemeteries on the Island.  Anyone wishing to contribute to this ongoing effort can forward a check to the Town Office tagged “cemetery clean up fund.”   The funds raised by the Committee are used to maintain the dignity and public appearance of Chincoteague’s cemeteries and improve the livability of the Town.

Notes by Gary Turnquist

N.B.  These notes do not constitute the public record of this meeting.  The information contained herein is offered in good faith, is presented as accurately as possible, is thought to be a complete account of the proceedings.  These notes are intended to be a public service devoid of political commentary for those who are interested in following the civic affairs of Chincoteague Island. Notes of the meeting are recorded, transcribed and distributed by volunteers who receive no financial compensation for their efforts.