Franklin Friends honored; staff recognized and cemetery hours clarified

At the start of the November meeting, Speaker 2 told the board that eight parks staff attended the Indiana Park and Recreation Association conference and that Franklin Friends won the statewide accessibility and inclusion award. Speaker 2 also announced that staff member Nick Millspaugh, a recreation event coordinator, was named the state’s Young Professional of the Year; his award surprised him at the ceremony, staff said.

During board comments a social‑media post about cemetery hours prompted concern that posted times limited public visiting. Speaker 2 clarified those posted times apply to funeral‑director scheduling — specifically to grave opening/closing and related operations — and are not limits on when the public may visit gravesites. Speaker 2 noted those funeral‑director times have not changed in 50 years.

The board also reviewed department closures for Thanksgiving and year‑end holidays and noted community events including downtown holiday lighting on Dec. 6 and Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 13.