GILLETTE -- Campbell County Cemetery Board member Duffy Jenniges had just two days to prepare for Wednesday's regularly scheduled meeting, which included such items as new financial reports and additional cell phones for on-call needs.

"I'm on a steep learning curve," said Jenniges, who was chosen by the board on Monday to replace Christina Maycock. "I hope we can start working together as a cohesive unit. We need to keep the lines of communication open across the table."

Maycock resigned last month after a felony charge of obtaining property by false pretenses and four misdemeanor charges.

Wednesday's meeting was much more routine than the turbulent meetings the past several months.

The most heavily debated issue among board members was the changing of meeting times from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays on a trial basis for the next three meetings.

The motion to change the meeting time was requested by board member Eda Reno, who wanted to allow for better road travel during the winter months.

Other board members disagreed with Reno's personal request since several members of the public have asked the past few months for evening meetings so more people can attend.

"I assume when you ran for the board you knew what the conditions of the roads were," said board member Rita Mashak.

Board member Nikki Johnson said although she is not fond of evening meetings, the daytime meetings have affected her job. Johnson said the evening meetings have been requested numerous times by members of the public and their input should to be considered.

"Personally, my job has taken a toll because of the length of the meeting during the day," said Johnson, who is a funeral director at Gillette Memorial Chapel. "The families I serve have taken the additional brunt of all these meetings."

Jenniges opened the discussion to the public.

"We need to serve at your convenience, not at our convenience," he said.

Several people said evening meetings would allow more of the public to attend. The motion to change the meeting time to 5:30 p.m. for a three-month trial period passed with a 4-2 vote.

In an effort to generate more public input, Johnson, the board's treasurer, also requested an advisory committee be established to help the board on budgetary issues.

"I would ask for an advisory board that would meet quarterly," Johnson said. "It would be one more way the community could be in the loop."

Anyone interested in serving on the advisory board can submit his or her name and contact information to cemetery supervisor Darin Edmonds within the next two weeks. Once the advisory committee is in place, Johnson will meet with the committee and report back to the board with suggestions.

During public comment, several area residents noted the improved conduct of the board during Wednesday's meeting, including two of the six candidates who applied for the open board seat.

"I think your board is functioning pretty good today," said Clif Ritchie, who applied for the position. "With the male on the board you have a little different input."

Jim Hastings, another applicant, said he we would put in his name in for the advisory committee.The cemetery board has been under public scrutiny the past several months.

An investigation by Campbell County District Attorney Jeanne Stone led to charges of state open meetings act violations by current board members Slattery, Reno and Schafer, as well as former board members Maycock and George Hunter. They are scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 12. Maycock is scheduled to appear in court at 3 p.m. on Dec. 7.