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Fillmore Town Council hears home burial inquiry
FILLMORE — With a more concrete determination sought, Fillmore leaders are considering a request for a cemetery to be allowed at a residence.
Coming to the Fillmore Town Council on Thursday, resident Wes Terhune first contextualized that he bought his home 25 years ago. Now he is working to make it to where he will not leave.
“I want to be buried there, so I’m gonna have a cemetery,” Terhune said, emphasizing that only he and family immediate to him would be allowed as long as he is overseeing it.
That meant having a family cemetery. While Terhune said he was advised to get permission from the council, being able to legally possess and maintain it was the main concern.
So the issue was fielded by Town Attorney Jeff Boggess.
“As far as the town’s concerned, I don’t know what input the town has,” Boggess stated. Going off of “memory,” he advised that the state has requirements for a perpetual care fund.
This was applied to what would be considered public cemeteries. The Indiana Code refers to cemeteries having owners who would be responsible for their maintenance, as well as families having ownership of plots.
However, the question is whether there are specific requirements for cemeteries being on private property. As such, Boggess asked that the issue be tabled while he would “crack a book or two.”
“I’m gonna be buried there,” Terhune said adamantly. “One way or another, I will be there.”
In other business:
• Meredith Trusty announced that Monica Bray will be Fillmore’s clerk-treasurer beginning on July 20. She is succeeding Andi Schardt, who resigned in May.
Having served as Bainbridge’s clerk-treasurer from 2016-2020, Bray has worked with the town since June 2022. She was brought on independently then to assist former clerk-treasurer Bill Miles and has stayed on since.
• With Greencastle-Putnam County Economic Development Director Kristin Clary appearing to present documentation, the council adopted Resolution 2024-5 affirming the continuance of tax abatements for Liberty Industries.
Clary noted the trailer company being in compliance with its statements of benefits regarding employment. As of 2023’s end, Liberty had 64 employees, but has added more since.
• The council adopted policies required by the State Board of Accounts to accept federal grant funding. One applied to legally procuring services, while the other pertained to principles of determining necessary costs.
• The council approved for a community-wide yard sale to be held during the annual Fireman’s Chicken Barbecue, which is set for Sept. 20-21.
However, after getting a half-and-half “Yes”/”No” response with many not filling it out this time, Bray suggested another survey being sent out to residents with their upcoming bills.
While Councilman Jeff Haltom and Utilities Operator Joe Cash were absent, Bray and Boggess joined Meredith Trusty and Jerry Huff for the meeting.
The next regular meeting of the Fillmore Town Council is set for Thursday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Fillmore Town Hall.