Sacred Heart - St. Wenceslaus Cemetery Committee

Minutes of the June 13, 2007 Meeting

Don Brandl called the meeting to order at 8:34pm and led the group in prayer.

The "Our Father" was said.

Members present: Don Brandl, Rich Stadelman, Tom Kugel, Clarence (Sonny) Pleshek, Al Johanek, Tim Pleshek.

Members absent: Mike Reuter.

Also present: Bob Dillenburg, caretaker, and Penny Demerath, Business Administrator.

Penny reviewed St. Wenceslaus 2007-08 budget. Tom Kugel started a discussion on the sale of St. Wenceslaus. Tom stated that he doesn't understand why the church should be sold. Tom offered to put a steel roof on the church and stated that he felt that the church as should remain as a perpetual monument to that parish. Sonny stated that the church was built in 1913 for $5,500 and that it was completely paid for when it opened. He stated that he felt that the Diocese should ~ the church and property to the former parishioners. Rich mentioned that if the members wished to approach the Diocese that he felt they would need to make a proposal to the Diocese because the Diocese will want to know who will maintain the church and how that maintenance will be funded perpetually. Sonny suggested that the age of the church should qualify it for a historical building and Rich stated that he would obtain information on the historical significance of the building to the state and whether any state funding would be available for maintenance. Sonny asked Rich to list what he thought would be needed to proceed with a proposal to keep the property. Rich motioned and Tim seconded that the 2007-08 budget for St. Wenceslaus Cemetery be approved. Motion carried.

The May 2007 financial statements for St. Wenceslaus were reviewed. Rich made a motion to approve the financial statements and Sonny seconded the motion. Motion carried.

The Sacred Heart Cemetery May 2007 financial statements were reviewed. Rich motioned and Tim seconded that they be approved for both the operating fund and perpetual fund. Don mentioned that he drove through the cemetery on June 12th and complimented Bob on the condition of the grounds. Bob proposed raising the price of a grave from $450 to $500, which would be comparable to the price of a grave in the City of Shawano Cemetery. The last increase was two years ago when it was raised from $350 to $450. Rich suggested giving notice of the increase to parishioners and making the increase effective October 1, 2007. Rich suggested using the announcement of the price increase as a marketing tool to increase lot sales. An announcement will be placed in the bulletin now and again in September and will be placed in the Pulse. Bob stated that there are about 200 graves remaining on the north side of East Green Bay Street and quite a few on the south side. Rich made a motion to approve the increase effective October 1, 2007 with publication to parishioners. Tim seconded. Motion carried.

Bob informed the committee that a water pipe at the cemetery had deteriorated and broken. The pipe runs from the meter to the original north-south pipe. There is a separate meter on the south side cemetery. Berken & Moesch repaired the current leak and recommended replacing about 150 feet of pipe, at an estimated cost of $1,000-$1,200. Suggestions were made to contact Larry Sperberg regarding the digging, since Larry is a parishioner and has done many things for the parish. It was also suggested that rather than replacing the pipe, that perhaps it would be more cost-effective to place a second pipe a few feet from the existing line. Sonny made a motion to repair the pipe as necessary with the next leak. AI seconded. Motion carried.

The 2007-08 Sacred Heart Cemetery budget was reviewed. Penny stated that Don, Bob, and Penny had walked through the cemetery with AI Waelchli last fall and determined that there are five trees that need to be removed and many that need trimming. Penny had contacted Mr. Waelchli to obtain an estimated figure for removal and trimming when the budget was being prepared. Penny stated that she had included the tree removal in the budget at an estimated cost of $2,000, but did not include the trimming in this year's budget. Bids would be put out for the work, which could be opened at a fall meeting of the committee. Penny also mentioned that she had just been made aware that the 25% perpetual fund requirement for the mausoleum was met when it was built and that when a crypt or niche is sold that no funds are required to go to the perpetual fund. This will decrease the revenue account "Lot Sales Due to Perpetual Fund" budget, increase the revenue account "Mausoleum Sales" budget, and decrease the expense account "Lot Sales to Perpetual Care". It is anticipated that this decrease in the expenditure account will cover any excess cost of the tree removal as well as the anticipated $1,200 pipe repair, as mentioned in the above paragraph. Rich made a motion that the budget be approved with the mentioned changes. AI seconded. Motion carried.

Penny reviewed the terms of the cemetery committee members with the committee. Tim Pleshek mentioned that he came on the committee to finish Francis' term, which expires June 30, 2007. Tim agreed to stay on the committee for a full three-year term, which will now expire June 30, 2010. Al Johanek's term expires June 30, 2007. It is AI's first term on the committee and he agreed to remain on the committee for a second three-year term. Mike Reuter was not in attendance, but it was mentioned that Mike has left the parish and, therefore, is not eligible to be on the committee. Adele Manikowski resigned some time ago and had not been replaced so two new members are needed. Gene Kinninger has expressed an interested in joining the committee. Penny stated that she would discuss Gene's candidacy with Father Len and approach Gene, if appropriate. Bob mentioned that there are only 20 niches left in the mausoleum and suggested that the committee consider erecting a columbarium in the upcoming years. Bob had some information from Cold Spring Memorial Group, which indicated a 144-niche columbarium would cost about $24,500, but could generate a profit of approximately $80,000. These figures do not include preparing the ground. Bob stated that there are approximately 100 crypts left in the mausoleum so the demand seems to be greater for niches than crypts. Bob suggested that we set a time in the fall for another meeting, at which the representative from Cold Spring could come to the meeting and make a presentation to the committee. The committee felt this was a good idea and asked to schedule a meeting for the first half of October. As the time approaches, Don will contact the members and call another meeting. Motion was made by Rich and seconded by AI to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Penny Demerath

Parish Business Administrator