EAST WINDSOR VETERANS COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
for
Thursday, June 7, 2007
OPENING:
Warren Wenz, Chairman, opened this meeting at 7:00 P.M. at the Broad Brook School. There were nine commission members in attendance: Warren Wenz, Ron Hwalek, James Barton, Mark Simmons, Don Brown, George Butenkoff, Ken Crouch, Ernie Teixeira and Dave Malo. Dan Burnham, Chairman East Windsor Cemetery Association, and three other association members were also present.
Also present were East Windsor Police Chief Edward DeMarco, Jr. and newly appointed East Windsor Police Captain Roger Hart.
Absent: William Abbe Sr., Rick Webster, Fred McDermott, and Nick Macsata.
SECRETARY’S REPORT: No Report
TREASURER’S REPORT: No Report
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony Committee-
No report
Memorial Day Poster/Essay Contest Committee-
No report
Scholarship Committee-
Mark Simmons will represent the Veterans Commission at “Awards Night” on June 11, 2007, at East Windsor High School to present our two scholarship awards.
Veterans Cemetery Project-
Warren Wenz opened a discussion regarding our concerns over the abrupt removal of the American Flags from our veterans’ grave sites by the East Windsor Cemetery Association. Ken Crouch and other commission members asked why the veterans’ flags were removed from the grave sites so soon this year compared to previous years. Dan Burnham, Chariman EW Cemetery Assn., distributed copies of the association’s rules & regulations. Mr. Burnham stated that the rules & regulations have been in effect since 1916, periodically updated and do not allow placement of “flags” or other items on or near grave markers at all. Mr. Burnham said that the Cemetery Association has allowed a specific seasonal time period for the placement
and removal of American flags and other decorations in the past. Mr. Burnham also cited the additional maintenance costs and mowing problems caused by the grave decorations.
(cont.)
(2)
Mr. Burnham suggested that a “Flag Garden” be centrally located around the main flag pole in all of our cemeteries. However, this plan may take a few years to implement due to the current lack of available funds for this.
After more discussion those present agreed that a review of the current Cemetery Association rules should be done and a compromise worked out to resolve this issue.
Those present agreed to hold a special meeting Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at 6:45 PM at the East Windsor Town Hall to discuss this issue further with the Cemetery Association.
Those present also agreed to hold a special meeting on Thursday, July 12, 2007, at 7:00 PM at East Windsor Town Hall to discuss the layout and construction of the planned memorial brick walkway at the Veterans Cemetery.
Veterans Day Road Race Committee-
No Report
OTHER BUSINESS:
MOTION: George Butenkoff moved to provide $349.00 from the East Windsor Veterans Commission treasury to purchase a fiberglass flag pole for the American Legion Barry Poulter Post #40. This was seconded by Ron Hwalek and carried unanimously.
MOTION: George Butenkoff moved to have the East Windsor Veterans Commission obtain or purchase reconditioned computers for military families to use to communicate with soldiers. This was seconded by Dave Malo and carried unanimously.
Warren reminded all that a SPECIAL MEETING will be held on
Tuesday, June 19, 2007, at 6:45 PM
at East Windsor Town Hall
And
A SPECIAL MEETING will be held on
Thursday, July 12, 2007, at 7:00 PM
at East Windsor Town Hall
ADJOURNMENT
Hearing of no further business to come before the commission, Chairman Warren Wenz asked for a motion to adjourn. Ernie Tiexiera moved to adjourn this meeting and this was seconded by Dave Malo. The motion carried unanimously. The Chairman closed the meeting at 8:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Simmons, Secretary E.W.V.C. Minutes Approved:____/____/_______
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