March 29, 2024

Headstone repairs approved for Colfax Cemetery

Security dropbox to be added at new city hall

McCall Monument was approved to repair 20 headstones at Colfax Cemetery. The Colfax City Council approved the repairs at $7,200 during its February meeting.

While the original cemeteries of Oak Hill and Highland, which were later deeded to the city and renamed Colfax Cemetery, were not designated perpetual care and the city does not meet the responsibility to maintain the stones, areas were found to be falling into serious disrepair due to age and some vandalism.

“For the last couple of years, staff has budgeted funds for the repair of stones,” Colfax City Clerk Nancy Earles said. “Fiscal Year 2020-21 is the first year staff has pursued a quote for repairs.”

McCall Monument of Newton was contacted and provided quotes for the southernmost and oldest section of the cemetery. With $5,000 budgeted the past two years, general fund dollars can be used for the $7,200 repairs to the 20 headstones.

More than 150 years old, Oak Hill Cemetery was originally platted as a privately-owned cemetery in 1870. In 1893, five Colfax men purchased 12 acres of north and east of Oak Hill, clearing it to become Highland Cemetery, Earles said. The properties were merged and operated under the name Highland Cemetery.

In 1943, the Highland Cemetery Association deeded the property to City of Colfax and has functioned as Colfax Cemetery since.

The council also approved a payment dropbox for the new city hall building. The deposit box will not, however, be located in the building but across the street.

“This accessible location is in the alley next to the parking lot where residents can drive up to or walk up to the payment drop,” utility billing clerk Amanda Bode said.

The council approved a box from American Security Cabinets for $1,852. City staff found after talking with staff from Bondurant, who use a similar American Security Cabinet dropbox, they have had no intrusions and also the strength, security and style is similar to the City of Altoona’s box.

“When we get to the new city hall we want a place for people to deposit payments without having to get out of their car, they can pay on the weekend, events, what have you,” mayor David Mast said. “They can drive through the alley one way so the driving can drop it or they can drive the other way so the passenger can drop it.”

Mast said they may also add bricks to the bottom to have the look tie into what city hall will look like.

Another purchase was made by the council, this time for the Colfax Police Department. A 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe was approved for $36,411 along with $16,072 for the installation/transfer of police equipment for the department.

“The police department has tried to keep a schedule of replacing vehicles every four to six years,” Colfax Police Chief Andy Summy said. “It is important employees are driving safe, reliable vehicles when there is a potential for high-speed pursuit or responding to an emergency.”

The new vehicle will replace the 2017 Ford Explorer. The Explorer has compiled 77,493 miles and has been having mechanical issues, causing the department to spend additional funds on repairs beyond the normal wear and tear, Summy said.

It was approved to trade in the Explorer for $10,225 to be used toward the purchase of the Tahoe. The remainder of the funds will come from the Police Vehicle Inspection Fund.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com