HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Cemetery Sextons - 10/02/2024
Sextons Minutes: October 2, 2024 5:00PM
Other attendees: Anonymous Donor
Meeting 5:00 p.m.
1. Welcome and emergency evacuation instructions
Donna called the meeting to order at 5:00pm. Sextons in attendance were: D. Kinville,
Chair; J. Kirchick, Vice Chair; J. McClory, Clerk, C. Rainville; J. Simson; and P. Taylor
2. Agenda Review: Additions, deletions or changes in order of agenda items
Donna suggested the comments and questions from the public be moved to after items 4
& 5 on the agenda to accommodate an expected guest. The motion was made, seconded
and passed by all.
3. Minutes: The minutes of August 20, 2024 and August 27, 2024 were approved
unanimously
4. Review Eldredge headstone cleaning and further discussion on cemetery
The cleanup was deemed a success with considerable work accomplished. Jason
Kirchick shared that he submitted an article on the cleanup and it would appear in the
October 3, 2024 edition of the Other Paper. Everyone expressed thanks for the
contributions of time and effort by the Lions, Rotary, and Scouts troops 6011 and 611.
The majority of older headstones have now been cleaned and considerable overgrowth
has been trimmed back. There is more to do in locating and repairing fallen headstones,
and more cutting back of invasive, dead, or overgrown plants.
5 Comments and questions from the public not related to the agenda
A member of the public came forward at the meeting wishing to provide a $50,000
donation towards the beautification of Eldredge Cemetery. They indicated that the
sextons should develop a plan of what improvements are most desired; the donor would
then approve the plans and release funds to pay for improvements up to $50,000. The
donor has a stipulation that the donation not replace any portion of the City’s existing
obligation to the Cemetery.
The sextons expressed heartfelt gratitude to the gifter and look forward to reviewing
proposed plans with them once developed.
6. Discuss 9/11/2024 City Council Retreat discussion regarding cemeteries
We discussed that the sextons requests are not included in the City Council 2025
priorities. In addition in a City Council discussion of liability for double selling a plot,
the City would ultimately be liable, therefore Council indicated a one year moratorium on
burials in both City cemeteries. The sextons as a whole think removing access to the
public for burial in the City is wrong. We also discussed the current moratorium on new
burials in Shelburne Road Cemetery due to the high water table, and areas of Eldredge
Cemetery that have never been listed for sale, and carry next to no chance of double
selling.
7. Perpetual Care of Cemetery. City vs citizens expectations
Chuck raised a difference in perception between what perpetual care means to the City
versus citizens. Generally, the City expectation is to keep the grass clipped. In contract
the public may think that repair of headstones and care of planting on or near graves also
fall into the definition. Jason suggested that as more focus is put on the cemeteries, as
more clean-ups occur the public perception may shift.
8. Discussion about placing flags for veterans
Chuck updated the sextons on the identification of veterans in the Eldridge and Shelburne
Road cemeteries and discussions with City Parks staff about holders that would not
impede mowing. We also discussed timing of flag placement in relation to flag protocol
and decided to set out the flags in the Spring before Memorial Day, and remove them in
the Autumn after Veterans Day. This was agreed unanimously. Jennifer offered to help
with installation of the holders and adding and removing flags.
9. Update from Jennifer and Chuck on their progress on digitizing the “inventory” of the
cemetery
Jennifer has digitized the alphabetical list for Shelburne Road and is halfway through the
alphabetical list for Eldridge. Once those are complete the headstone number lists are to
be cross referenced and any missing info added.
Chuck has requested the original files of the mapping done by DuBois and King and they
have agreed to release the files to us free of charge. Donna has scanned more maps of the
cemeteries including the one used to mark plots for sales. Chuck has manually recorded
the information listed on all memorials of the Eldredge Cemetery which will eventually
be entered into an Excel spreadsheet to establish an Index of all known burials.
10. Other Business
We discussed moving to a standing meeting for ease of warning and planning. It was
determined that Tuesdays at 5pm would generally work for everyone. It was also discussed
that our next meeting would request Patrick Healy to share ideas and best practices with us.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 6:58 PM