VIENNA — At a meeting held at the cemetery, the board members of the Vienna Public Cemetery voted to contact living relatives to notify them of their family’s stone damage.

The meeting was held on Aug. 25. Among the topics discussed was the storm damage at the cemetery on June 20. The cemetery suffered tree damage and headstone damage from the storm that blew through the area. A large cedar tree in the middle section of the cemetery created the most damage as the tree was uprooted and it damaged numerous old stones.

Board President Sharon Wulff said when financial situations arise, all board members need to be involved in the decision making. Board Secretary-Treasurer Therese Roberson had contacted Phelps County Memorial to have some of the stones in the northwest corner reset. The majority of the board members felt that since the cemetery board’s rules and regulations state the Vienna Public Cemetery is not responsible for headstones, the cemetery’s money should not bear the cost of stones damaged by the storm. Board Vice President Virginia Carroll make a motion for living relatives to be notified of their family’s stone damage and the estimated cost to repair it. The motion was seconded by board member Richard Howard and all voted in favor of the motion.

Also discussed at the board meeting was tree maintenance. There is one small dead tree in the Highway 42 section and one large broken limb on the north fence line that need to be removed. Roberson has contacted several businesses but both are extremely busy at this time. Carroll has a company from Belle who will be doing some tree work at her home and she will contact them about an estimate for the cemetery. Howard will contact the Forestry Service to get recommendations for tree maintenance.

In the financial report, Roberson gave a partial report of expenses and revenues as of July 31, 2020. Expenses are at $14,266 with an estimated additional $5,000 expenses until the end of October. She said they will be over-budget by about $5,000. Revenues from November 2019 until the end of July have been $12,000 from the sale of spaces and memorial donations. This amount does not include CD interest.

The board members approved the meeting minutes from Nov. 13, 2019.

Also present at the meeting was board member Kay Eads.