The Trustee’s office has moved from 118.5 W Walnut Street to 305 S Ewing Street, Brownstown
Board members present were Conner Barnett, Jack Gillespie, and Helen Nolting. Trustee Isaacs was present. Jack Gillespie opened the meeting and delayed reading and approval of previous meetings minutes until next meeting.
Old Business
Jack announced that Walt Walters (“Tombstone Groomer”) had been contacted and made a commitment this year for one week at $5,000. There was no information back from Paul Borden about the History Center Intern.
New Business
Conner will talk to Dereck Cook of BCHS about getting students involved. Will probably have to provide liability insurance for the student.
Jack reported there is a township cemetery that does not have a name. It is located near the Robertson Cemetery. Charles Brock owns the land around it. He also said there is a dead tree that needs to be removed in the Robertson Cemetery. He plans to talk to Rob Haubry about the possible harvest of the pine trees in the Old Town Cemetery.
The 2022 Budget Estimate prepared by Trustee Isaacs was reviewed and approved for submission to DLGF for final approval.
Respectfully, Helen Nolting, Secretary
The Township Board met April 12, 2021 at the Trustee office with Jack Gillespie and Helen Nolting present. Jennifer Isaacs distributed the agenda for the meeting. Minutes of the 2-9-21 meeting were reviewed and approved.
Old Business
Cemetery Restoration: There is $20,000 in Budget, of which mowing will be $10,000. This will leave $10,000 for the summer intern and grooming.
New Business
Newly elected School Board Member Paul Borden reported the second round of Covid money is coming and possibly would be receiving a third round. Jack asked Paul Borden about the possibility of hiring one, possibly two summer interns for cemetery project. Jack proposed two days a week at $10.00 per hour for the intern position. The interns would be working approximately 16 hours a week, and will be reporting the the History Center.
Jack brought up that an outdoor sign for the front of the Trustee building could be purchased for $60.00. The sign would be a metal frame sign with name, address, and telephone number. Jack will order.
Mowing bids were received from Dave Self of A&B Mowing, LLC at $570 per week and Steve Mowdy at $470 per week. It was decided to stay with Dave Self of A&B Mowing LLC, as his work has been satisfactory in past. Respectfully, Helen Nolting
The Brownstown Township Board resolves to maintain the current environmential protection of sensitive local watersheds provided by the Lake Residential District designation in the Jackson County , Indiana Zoning Ordinance. This is in opposition to the Jackson County Board of Zoning Appeals application for Special Exception for Section Number 5-2-Keeping of Livestock and Other Animals (Lake Residential District (S)). Signed by: Jack R. Gillespie, Board Chairman and Beverly DeWitt, Board Member.
Article submitted to local papers 9-12-2018: The Brownstown Township Board passed a resolution to maintain the current environmental protection of sensitive local watersheds provided by the Lake Residential District designation in the Jackson County, Indiana Zoning Ordinance. This action was made necessary by the action of the appointed Jackson County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA).
At the 9-11-2018 (BZA) meeting a Special Exception to Section Number 5-2-Keeping of Livestock and Other Animals (Lake Residential District (S)) was approved. That action would eliminate the protection from potential water pollutants entering the public waters of Brownstown Township in rain water runoff. That environmental protection is currently provided by the designated zoning regulation of Lake Residential District in the Jackson County, Indiana Zoning Ordinance.
In the discussion of the legal responsibilities of elected township and county officials, it was pointed out that although the public health concern for a zoonotic disease transmission such as leptospirosis may be low, the potential for other pollutants entering the lake water in rain water runoff and causing fish kill and water contamination is the reason for the current zoning designation of Lake Residential District. The resolution passed with a two to one vote of the members.
Jack R. Gillespie, Board Chairman
Brownstown Township Board
The Brownstown Township Board met on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at the Trustee’s office. Members present at the meeting were Bev Dewitt, Jack Gillespie, Angela Blann, and Jennifer Isaacs. Meeting was called to order by Jack Gillespie. Angela Blann read the minutes from the July 31st meeting and they were approved.
Old Business
Jack passed out a Path Project proposal that he presented to the fair board on Monday, September 11th requesting financial assistance to finish the path and is currently awaiting their decision.
Presbyterian Cemetery has been sprayed for weeds and saplings.
Miller Cemetery project has been completed by Graveyard Groomers.
New Business
Jennifer Isaacs attended the 2018 Budget Hearing, the only change from previous estimate is that we are unable to increase the cemetery fund as discussed due to the tax cap. Bev Dewitt made a motion to change from $25,000 to $20,000 for the cemetery fund and Jack Gillespie seconded. Budget otherwise as planned. Jennifer passed out copies of the 2018 Budget Estimate to members.
The next meeting is the Budget adoption meeting on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 5:00.
Meeting was adjourned.
The Brownstown Township Board meet 1-3-2018 at the Trustee’s office. Jack Gillespie was elected Chairman, and Angela Blann was elected Secretary. Beverly DeWitt was unable to attend. Trustee Jenifer Isaac met with the Board.
September 11, 2017
Jackson County Fair Board:
The original (township, town and county) cooperative “Bicycle/Pedestrian Path” project plan (2011) included connecting a multi-use path with the existing asphalt paths in the Jackson County Fairgrounds. That BROWNSTOWN/EWING MAINSTREET project was started with the Brownstown Community Indy 500 contest winnings of $25,000. Brownstown Township matched the $25,000 and the Brownstown Chamber of Commerce helped complete the project to Hough Creek in 2012. At that time, limited funds prevented connecting to the fairground paths.
In 2016 Jackson County was designated by the United States Center For Disease Control (CDC) as one of the most obese counties in Indiana, Therefore, elected and appointed local officials need to consider projects which may help encourage more local physical activity. Completion of the “Bicycle/Pedestrian Path” to connect with existing facilities in the county fairgrounds has been identified as a project to help increase local physical activity.
The Brownstown Township Board has budgeted for an increase in our 2018 Recreation and Culture Fund to help support the “Jackson County Healthier Together” project. We request the Jackson County Fair Board cooperate with the Brownstown Township Board to financially support the completion of the “Bicycle/Pedestrian Path” by the Jackson County Park Board.
Jack Gillespie, Chairman, Brownstown Township Board
Larry Raymer, Chairman Jackson County Park Board
The Brownstown Township Board and Trustee agreed to increased our 2018 Recreation and Culture budget to help create a sustainable culture of health and wellness in our local communities. We plan to help support the vision and mission of the Healthy Jackson County (HJC) project.*
Do you know your township board members and trustee? Have your township officials budgeted for local recreation and culture activities? For a “Healthier Jackson County” some of your local tax dollars are needed to develop and maintain environments which encourage more local physical activities. Ask your township officials if your township has a budget item for recreation and culture! If not, suggest they add one.
*https://www.facebook.com/healthyjacksoncounty/
The First German Presbyterian Cemetery restoration project was initiated June 1, 2017, after the Jackson County Highway Department constructed an access lane on the easement to the cemetery property located north of county road 400 South at about 75 East in Brownstown Township. This access lane allowed the Township Board and Trustee to begin a tree clearing project for this historic site recently donated to the township by retired Brownstown High School Teacher, Lynn Hinnefeld.
Brownstown Township entered into independent contracting agreements with Brownstown High School students Jordan Statzer and Dylan Cockerham to clear the small trees and brush from the cemetery property. Teacher Blake Hackman and Township Board Chairman Jack Gillespie provided supervision for the tree clearing work. On June 14, 2017 Gillespie brought Mr. Hinnefeld to the site to get pictures of the project progress and meet with Hackman and the boys to discuss some of the family history of the cemetery.
As Jackson County departments have compleated cooperative projects of surveying the cemetery property and constructing an access lane to the site, the Township Board Chairman sent a gratitude email to the County Commissioners, Council, Auditor, Highway Department and Surveyor. This was another local government cooperative project to restore a truly historic Brownstown Township site.
See: https://brownstowntownshipindiana.com/
Brownstown Township / Jackson County / Indiana 
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