HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Cemetery Sextons - 10/23/2024
Draft Sextons Minutes: October 23, 2024, 3:00PM
Other attendees: Anonymous Donor
Meeting 3:00 p.m.
1. Welcome and emergency evacuation instructions
Donna called the meeting to order at 3:00pm. 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
Item 5 of the agenda: Discussion with Patrick Healy was tabled until Mr. Healy is able to
attend a future meeting. No other changes to the agenda were made.
3. Public Comments: None given.
4. Minutes: The minutes of October 2nd were approved unanimously with edits
5. Discussion tabled pending availability of Patrick Healy. A list of potential questions for
Mr. Healy was circulated.
6. Discussion of Eldredge cemetery beautification donation
Chuck mentioned there are no markings for the graves indicated “Town Buried” in the
available records. Donna asked if the entirety of Eldredge should be scanned with Sonar
to locate those graves. The City Arborist will review the trees and plantings and provide
feedback. Discussion of a list of proposed items for Eldredge Cemetery resulted in Jason
volunteering to check with VOCA and the Cemetery Commission in the area to see if
there is a company familiar with providing designs for cemeteries. Chuck will do the
same with local architecture firms as well as investigating options to light the flag in the
cemetery.
The sextons are looking to map the existing features of the cemetery and want to see if an
aerial photo is possible. Beta Technologies or the airport authority may already have
photos. Peter will reach out to Beta Technologies and the airport liaison to ask. The
sextons also intend to ask Beta Technologies community liaison if the fence on the north
side of the cemetery fence can be buffered so the batteries are not so visible.
7. Review of discussion with Jessie Baker, City Manager
In discussion with the City Manager, it was resolved how to accept the anonymous
donation. Also raised was the issue of council language that no burials are to take place,
when it should read no sales of plots. It was expressed that City Council is overlooking
the increased awareness and interest in the cemeteries because of the cleaning and the
financial gift. Donna will draft a letter from the sextons to Council asking for a City
Council liaison, a city staff liaison, and reconsideration of the cemeteries as a priority for
the 2025 budget. The survey for the 2026 budget community feedback was mentioned.
8. Discussion on Perpetual Care; to be addressed in the discussion with Mr. Healy.
9. Other Business
Once monthly meetings on the second Tuesdays at 3:00pm was agreed on for upcoming
meetings. The next meetings will be November 12, December 10, and January 14.
10. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 4:45 PM