County action urged

Jay County Commissioners received a reminder this morning that action is still pending regarding re-establishing a long-forgotten cemetery in Portland.

Jay County Cemetery Commission members Paul Pinkerton and Jane Spencer approached the commissioners to inquire about the status of the Pioneer Cemetery, which is located west of Bridge Street near the Salamonie River in Portland.

The cemetery, which was rediscovered in early 2008, was in use for about 50 years starting in 1836, before Green Park Cemetery became the primary Portland graveyard. Spencer said descriptions of the cemetery she's found in her research describe it as the "Portland burial ground over the hill."

Spencer previously said that when Green Park opened, soldiers buried in the Pioneer graveyard were transferred, but she could find no record that other bodies were moved.

Over time, trees and other plant life overwhelmed the cemetery and it was lost.

The land was at one time owned by Jay County Commissioners. At some point in the past, ownership of the land was transferred and it is now owned by Dean Poole.

In 2008, the commissioners were asked to perform a survey to reestablish the boundaries of the cemetery. That survey was completed in May 2009, but since then no action has occurred.

In May, the commissioners discussed the situation and determined they would likely have to perform a land swap to trade Poole the cemetery land for some nearby land that the county owns.

Pinkerton and Spencer wanted to check on the cemetery progress this morning, which acted as a reminder to the commissioners.

"We need you guys to get the boundaries marked," Spencer said, who was not aware that step had been completed last summer.

"The survey's done," said Jay County auditor Nancy Culy, updating Spencer. "It just needs the (land) swapping."

The commissioners said the cemetery project likely got lost in the mix of business last summer and that they would look into the land swap issue.

"Let's get those pioneers out of the woods," Spencer said, referring to the proposed restoration of the cemetery grounds.

In other business this morning, the commissioners:

•Made Sheriff Ray Newton purchasing agent to buy a new in-car camera at a cost of $4,000.

•Were informed by Newton that an officer hit a deer in his police cruiser over the weekend, causing around $5,000 to $10,000 of damage.

•Were informed by Newton that all of the metal detectors possessed by the state surplus have been claimed. Newton put the county on a waiting list in case more become available.

•Reviewed their 2011 budget to try to locate where they can cut 10 percent. The commissioners will likely have to cut their "donations," funding which help to support local programs and organizations.

•Denied a request for a county-financed loan for a septic system replacement for Vernon and Leah Hilty, 5913 East 800 North, Bryant, after speaking with county environmental health officer Dave Houck.

The commissioners determined that since the family replaced an existing home with a new construction, that it would not qualify for the county assistance, which is used for repair or replacement of existing systems.

•Approved a change in the county personnel policy regarding sick leave. The current policy only covers leave to care for a spouse or child. Culy suggested the county backtrack to the wording in its old policy that allowed for "immediate family."[[In-content Ad]]