Afton Council keeps cemetery mower for rest of season

AFTON - After a temporary switch of Greenlawn Cemetery mowers which forced emergency caretaking for Labor Day weekend, Afton Council has cemented the decision to switch duties of mowing to Kelly Klommhaus for September and October. This essentially confirms his position for the rest of the year.

The cemetery board met on Sept. 9 and expressed satisfaction for the job Klommhaus had performed during the preparation for Labor Day weekend. Council had hired Klommhaus for work on an as-needed basis, but the cemetery board recommended hiring Klommhaus as a regular contracted mower.

Afton Council will still look for a mower for 2025. Mowers take care of trimming grass and spraying weeds to fight against encroachment on gravestones.

The decision marks what should hopefully end a tumultuous time in Greenlawn Cemetery’s upkeep. Following the retirement of the previous caretaker in 2021, upkeep has been through contracted work and through volunteers.

After a special meeting held on Aug. 25, Afton City Council decided to terminate the previous mower Chloe Kerrigan’s contract after warning her about the unmet standards in the mowing of Greenlawn. This decision also came with another action of withholding 5% of Kerrigan’s contracted pay, the most the city could legally withhold.

The council then accepted Klommhaus as a temporary mower. Klommhaus’ bid had given options for the council to continue with him for the rest of 2024, which the council considered on an as-needed basis at the time. Klommhaus, following the council’s latest decision, will now regularly maintain the cemetery for the rest of the fall.

The council agreed with the cemetery board’s opinion that Klommhaus had did a “very good job” with his work on the cemetery.

In other Afton Council news...

The council approved the use of surplus funds used for the walking trail project to be used to update sponsor bricks. Donors to the original walking trail project were able to have their names represented on a brick sign, located in the recreation field. The highest donation on the sign was about $750.

Since the project’s completion and an additional extension made after a funding round in 2022, more donors have contributed to the path, with some donors contributing up to $10,000. Some businesses have also contributed to the trail, including $65,000 from Wellmark and $30,000 from Greater Regional. These new donors will be updated to the brick sign of the walking trail as a sign of appreciation.

An update was given for changing internet providers in the Wi-Fi Center and City Hall. Lockridge Networks would provide internet and support for camera systems in these buildings. The previous provider, Windstream, would remain with City Hall for phone service. A decision will be made in next month’s regular meeting.

Afton Community Club’s Autumn Days event received approval for street closures for Sept. 28, which will see roads close around the Afton square and extend out into the 200 Block of East Kansas Street and East Railroad Street. The event promises kids games, vendors, a car show and several chances for competition such as riding a mechanical bull and a pie-eating contest. Later the same evening, activities will transistion to the Lakeshore golf course for a dueling pianos event by Felix and Fingers.

Senior Planner for the Southern Iowa Council of Governments (SICOG) Jeremy Rounds gave an update to the council for potential grant opportunities to the city. Rounds said SICOG is looking for local businesses or projects which could benefit from additional support. The council discussed a few ideas for projects regarding restoring tombstones in Greenlawn, adding more sidewalks, and renovating playground equipment.

The council approved Tyler Pettit to the Afton Rec Board, which has had a vacancy. The Rec Board’s representative Steve Kinyon gave an update on how the board was looking for funds to update lights around the recreation field on Grand Street.