Commissioners asked to assist at historical cemeteries

ALBANY — Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker have been asked to help volunteers interested in cleaning up the historical Millersburg Cemetery, as well as other old cemeteries scattered throughout the county.

Tim Walter of Harrisburg told the commissioners Tuesday morning that his father and other family members are buried at the Millersburg Cemetery, which was founded in the early 1850s. The cemetery has not been maintained and needs brush removed and grass mowed.

Commissioner Sprenger said this is not an uncommon situation. She said there are many small historical cemeteries in Oregon and unfortunately, many of the board members who serve those cemeteries are senior citizens who cannot supply the physical labor needed to keep them ship shape.

Commissioner Nyquist had suggested to Walter in texts prior to the meeting that the Linn County Sheriff’s Office work crew might be able to provide some assistance and he would talk to Sheriff Duncan about the situation during next week’s Budget Hearings.

Walter attended Tuesday’s board meeting and Sheriff Duncan was also present, so the topic was brought up.

Sheriff Duncan said that since the COVID-19 pandemic of the last three years, the number of inmates on the work crew has dropped to less than half of pre-pandemic numbers. She is in the process of developing a plan to increase those numbers and if that is successful, there is a possibility projects could occur at the historical cemeteries.

Commissioner Nyquist said he thinks there may be eight or 10 cemeteries in question.  The commissioners asked Assessor Andy Stevens if he had a way to identify the historical cemeteries and he said he would look into the matter.  

Walter thanked the commissioners and said he as “passion for this.” He also provided the board with the name of a person who works with historical cemeteries at the state level.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Approved changes in the Maximum Capacity Order for the Linn County Jail and accepted a SPIRE grant that will be used to purchase a new communications and mobile command trailer.
• Were informed by Juvenile Director Torri Lynn there were 28 young people from Linn County held in March; five from Benton County; and four from Lincoln County. There were 61 referrals and 190 youth in the probation unit. The Intervention Specialist is working with 80 young people.
• Were told by Fair & Expo Center Manager Kris Barnes that business is brisk. He said there will be three new events in May: the Weimaraner National Dog Show May 8-12; Family Farm Days, May 12-13; and the Oregon Sisterhood State Convention, May 25-27. He said tickets will go on sale for the Linn County Fair main stage entertainment May 1 at www.linncountyfair.com. Headliners are Clint Black on July 13, Smash Mouth on July 14 and Granger Smith on July 15.
• Approved an easement for $17,680 with Dennis Burton for the Goldfish Farm Road project and approved a contract with Wiser Rail Engineering company for work on the Millersburg Drive Rail Crossing Quiet Zone Project. The contract is not to exceed $56,777.
• Approved participating in the County Assessment Function Funding Assessment Program. The total amount for consideration is about $4,480,794.
• Reappointed Judge Jessica Meyer to the Linn County Law Library Committee.
• Re-established the Noxious Weed Control Advisory Committee and appointed the following members: Paul Brown, Justin McClaughry, Tom Nichols, Debra Paul, Roger Ruckert and Orval Silbernagel.
• Announced that the 2023-2024 Linn County Budget Hearings will begin Monday, May 1 at 9:30 a.m. at the Linn County Fair & Expo Center. The FY 2023-2024 Budget Hearings will be audio cast using Zoom. Video will not be broadcast.  On-line participants should make sure their computer’s video is off and microphone is muted. Session times are: May 1, 9:30 a.m.; May 2, 1:30 p.m.; May 3, 1:30 p.m.; May 4, 9:30 a.m.Link to the Zoom sessions at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87576681584?pwd=T2s5VkZUY2I1b05ZNUxkdmpVeGpkdz09

Media contact: Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer, 541-967-3825 or email apaul@co.linn.or.us.