Chester Cemetery board seeks general manager, public input

By Gregg Scott

Staff Writer

This spring has seen some changes at the Chester Cemetery District (CCD) which is responsible for the operation of the Chester and Historic Prattville Cemetery. After the departure of several previous board members and staff, the cemetery found itself with only a single board member left.

Tammy Helsel, who was sworn in in April of 2021, asked the Plumas County Board of Supervisors to appoint two more members to the board so it could be operational again. The two newly appointed members were Judy Hardig and Carol Morgenroth, and soon after they held their first board meeting in May.

One of the first actions the new board approved and help facilitate was to allow the American Legion, Harry Doble Post 664 and the Chester Boy Scouts to host the long-time tradition of a Memorial Day Service at the cemetery. It was a welcome event for an estimated 150 attendees.

Some other issues discussed were ways to afford better access to the cemetery for burials during the winter and weekends.  Extreme weather conditions (deep snow) of course would have to be taken into consideration.  Reviewing and possibly revising the existing by-laws will be on their agenda. The board has asked the Plumas Board of Supervisors to approve increasing the CCD to a five-member body because it is sometimes difficult to achieve a quorum with only three.  It was decreased from five to three in April of 2011.  Plumas County Supervisors have approved that change and two additional directors are expected to be appointed very soon.

The board is also looking to fill the position of General Manager for the two cemeteries and is currently working on a job description and compensation package.

The new board wants very much to serve Lake Almanor Basin residents in the best way possible at a time that is a difficult period for grieving families. The board would encourage anyone that is interested to attend the monthly meeting with suggestions how to best accomplish that goal. The last announced meeting date was to be the second Thursday of each month at 9 a.m., but that may be subject to change with new members coming on. The office number of the cemetery office is (530) 258-3878.