Trustees of Trust Funds / Cemetery Trustees / October 1, 2007

Present: Mary Blank, Lucille Gorges, Gerry Plotts, Patty Little

On motion by Lucille, voted unanimously to accept the minutes from the previous meeting. It was the consensus of those present, that the meeting times of the Trustees of Trust Funds and the Cemetery Trustees would start at 4:00 PM during the winter months.

Cemetery Trustees

Village Cemetery:

The issue of faded flowers in the Village Cemetery was raised with the question of whether it was the responsibility of Hillside to remove the flowers. It was noted that any Cemetery Trustees could remove faded plastic flowers, but that it was the responsibility of the Cemetery Sexton to routinely observe the condition of the Village Cemetery.

Cemetery Trustee Appointment:

Patty Little took the oath of Cemetery Trustee before the Selectmen.

Investment Policy:

Mary indicated that she had spoken to Beverly Tilley of Citizen’s Bank about the investment policy. Ms. Tilley had recommended that the Trustees meet with Keith Pike, the investment advisor for the Government and Non-profit Division at Citizen’s Bank. The 2001 policy was provided to Mr. Pike and he indicated that although it seemed adequate; he wanted to meet with the Trustees. He suggested that there was a sample policy on the Attorney General’s web site. Mary indicated that she would try to schedule a meeting for late in the afternoon in Keene in the near future.

Budget Workshop - LGC:

Mary indicated that she had been unable to attend this workshop, but that the course material had been provided to her. It was the consensus of the Trustees that reimbursement of the registration fee was not necessary as long as Mary reviewed the material and ultimately utilized the information for the benefit of the Trustees.

Warrant Articles for 2008 Town meeting:

Mary indicated that the Trustees would need to submit a warrant article to create and expend the McCourt Trust Funds for the repair of monuments in the Village Cemetery.

Condition of Cemeteries:

Mary reported that the Village Cemetery and the West Yard Cemetery had recently been mowed. As of September 10th, $4,425 had been expended. It was anticipated that the mowing expenses would be slightly over budget. Mary noted that $5,025 had been budgeted for mowing.

Patty reported that she had walked the Old Settler’s Cemetery and that brush maintenance along the two stone walls was necessary. Mary indicated that she would approach the Sexton for an estimate on the amount of time needed to do brush clearing.

Old Settler’s Cemetery - Chain:

Mary indicated that quotes for 200 feet of black powdered 3/8 inch link galvanized chain would be $990.00 with free shipping. Galvanized chain is not available locally. On motion by Patty, voted unanimously to authorize the purchase of 200 feet of black powdered 3/8 inch galvanized chain for the Old Settler’s Cemetery.

Village Cemetery Survey:

Mary reported that Ed Goodrich would be meeting with the Cemetery Trustees at their next meeting. All corner points have been located and all features surveyed. He will be submitting an entire survey for the Village Cemetery for recording purposes and a large-scale map of the new area to be platted for future lots. In addition, he will be submitting a digital copy of the new area to be used for updating as new lots are purchased. He suggested that moving the storage shed and the dirt pile would be helpful in gaining more space for future lots. He indicated that not many graves will be captured through the platting exercises, but that he would review the possible layouts with the Trustees. Mary suggested that the Trustees should consider a capital project request to acquire additional land for cemetery purposes. Other potential capital projects included replacing the two perimeter chain link fences with a wooden fence. It was suggested that the lower branches of the evergreen trees be trimmed for greater visibility.

James Holton White:

Patty had located a burial permit for a James Holton White, who died in Franklin, New Hampshire at 29 years of age. Both Lucille and Gerry could not confirm that this was the same James White who had purchased a cemetery plot and then (accordingly to a hand-written record) on the deed – returned the plot back to the Town. It was suggested that Carol Stewart or Joe Feuer be contacted to see if they could remember when James White had died or where he died.

Friends of the Village Cemetery:

Mary indicated that she had heard from Gen Ells who had requested that the Trustees include a sum of money in their annual budget for weeding the landscaped area immediately outside of the Village Cemetery entrance. Mary reminded the Trustees that she had previously discussed the desire of the Friends of the Village Cemetery to maintain that area. It was the consensus of the Committee that although the Trustees welcomed any voluntary effort from the Friends they were not inclined to include funds in their budget for landscaping efforts.

New Interment Form and Deed:

Mary reported that the Sexton had received the new interment order and would start using the new form. She commented that she had not been able to work on the new cemetery deed.

Monument Repair:

Mary reviewed the quotes form D&M Monument for monument repair at the Village Cemetery. She stated that the Trustees would need to identify which monuments needed repair. The funding source would be the McCourt Trust and, as appropriate, the Common Trust.

At 8:30 pm the meeting concluded.

Patricia A. Little
Secretary