Trustees of Trust Funds / Cemetery Trustees / November 5, 2007

Present: Gerry, Roxanne, Lucille, Mary, Patty,

Guests: Ed Goodrich, Surveyor and Tony Davis, Sexton

Cemetery Trustees  

Village Cemetery Survey:

Ed Goodrich reviewed the highlights from his survey on the Village Cemetery. He noted that granite posts along the Schmidt property line on the northern side of the cemetery were removed sometime after a chain link fence was installed in 1982. He noted that although the corner posts were historical, they would be expensive to replace. He did recommend that it would be important to replace the corner post. Tony Davis remarked that there are still several granite posts remaining from the earlier Village Cemetery stonewall that could be utilized.

The fence between the Village Cemetery and the Tim Jones’ property is not on the property line. The Trustees concluded that nothing would be gained by asking that the fence be relocated because the fence was only off the property line by nine feet. Mr. Goodrich identified the easement that the town maintained across the Jones’ property to Route 123 as well as rights to a well located on the Jones property. Mr. Goodrich commented that the 50 foot right-of-way was not sufficient to construct a road to gain access to Route 123. Mr. Goodrich noted that the Town had installed the chain link fence at the Fuschetto boundary ten feet beyond the boundary line. All other property lines were identified and presented no issues.

Mr. Goodrich reviewed the new perpetual care area to be platted for new cemetery plots. Mr. Goodrich inquired of the grave dimensions the Trustees would want platted. He added that some sections of the perpetual care area might be too shallow for anything other than cremations. He added that the Trustees might also want to consider leaving a one foot margin between the lots. Mr. Goodrich noted he would utilize markers with legible numbers at strategic locations.

Other issues to be considered by the Committee include: moving the shed and dirt pile, whether the Trustees should sell from specific areas or randomly; whether the center aisle should remain open as well as the alignment of graves toward the road.

The consensus of the Trustees determined that they would sell from specific areas and not randomly; that new plot owners would be instructed to place monument markers at the four corners (this may require an amendment to the cemetery rules); that the existing center aisle would remain open; and that the decedent’s feet would face the road so that the monuments could be read from the road. 

Although the dirt pile is unsightly, its removal would require more work during the actual interments which would increase the cost of burial. Mr. Goodrich noted that the shed wouldn’t need to move right away. Mr. Goodrich indicated he would create a master plan for the maximum number of graves and would set the strategic points for only what will be needed for the immediate future. 

The Trustees agreed that the grave dimensions would be 4 by 8 feet; that a numbering system would be utilized and that they would delay any decision on the Roger Bissonnette monument until it was determined whether there was a problem with its location and alignment. Mr. Goodrich noted that he would provide a Mylar of the new perpetual care area for recording at the Registry of Deeds as well as a paper copy for use by the Sexton in selling new plots.

Mary noted that she had paid Ed Goodrich $3800 for the first phase of his survey work.

Minutes:

Move to accept the minutes from the October 1, 2007 regular meeting. Mary noted that she would be responsible for posting the minutes to the web site.

Village Cemetery, West Yard Cemetery and Early Settlers Cemetery:

Mary noted that the Village Cemetery mowing contract was $57.22 over budget. Both Roxanne and Lucille noted that the Village Cemetery looked very good and asked that a note be sent to Vermont Hillsides. Patty offered to write the thank you. Roxanne asked if it was appropriate to remove any faded, plastic flowers. The consensus of the Trustees was that any one of them can individually discard faded flowers or anything else that was unsightly. Roxanne stated she hadn’t walked up to the West Yard Cemetery since the end of September. At that point in time the cemetery needed mowing, but that has since occurred. A large branch was also picked up. Patty reminded the Trustees that brush clearing needed to occur at the Early Settlers Cemetery. The Trustees decided to meet on Saturday to remove the American Flags on the Veterans’ graves and any faded plastic flowers. The American flags would be properly disposed of.

Mowing Contract for 2008:

Patty moved to authorize that the Trustees continue with Vermont Hillside Lawn Care for the 2008 mowing season to include a partial fall clean up and contingent upon the adoption of the mowing budget. The budget for 2007 included 4 mowings on the West Yard Cemetery on the Jay Allen Road and 7 mowings for the Village Cemetery.

Early Settler’s Cemetery – Granite Fencing Project:

Mary noted that she had confirmed that the granite posts for the Early Settler’s Cemetery had been funded from the Sargeant Road Trust. The cost for the chain link fence would also be taken from this trust. Tony Davis will install the fence this fall. Mary noted that she had inquired whether the cemeteries were under the Town’s insurance policy as she did not see them listed on any inventory. She noted that she would inquire with the Local Government Center how other communities insure their cemetery property.

Capital Projects:

Mary noted that the Capital Projects Committee would be meeting on December 10^th during the regularly scheduled Selectmen’s meeting. The Trustees would make their recommendations at their next meeting scheduled for December 3.

At 5:50 PM the meeting adjourned.

Patricia Little
Secretary