The regular meeting of the Stowe Cemetery Commission was held Tuesday, May 4, 20-10 in the Banquet Room in the Akeley Memorial Building starting at 8:00 A.M.
Present were: Donna Adams, Joy Fagan and Leigh Tabor. Also: Bruce Godin.
Absent: George von Trapp and Judy Demeritt.
The Commission was saddened to learn of the death of Judy and David ‘s daughter, Sue. Our heartfelt prayers go out to them at this difficult time.
Minutes of April 6, 2010: Mr. Tabor moved to accept as corrected, seconded by Mrs Fagan with all present in favor.
Bruce Godin’s Report:
(1) Brochure holders have been placed: 2 in Riverbank, 1 in West Branch and 1 in Old Yard.
(2) Water will be turned on this week
(3) Kuhn had done Sterling and is partly done with other repairs and will finish before Memorial Day
(4) Bruce is discussing with the Department of Corrections the possibility of making a large kiosk for Riverbank.
(5) Members agreed to allow Kuhn to continue restoration work up to the remaining $1200 but come July 1st, letters/bid proposals will be sent to contractors interested in additional monument repairs for the next year.
(6) 6 trees need to be removed from Riverbank and no doubt need to wait until fall.
Bruce stated the trees cannot be taken out and new ones put in, as they wouldn’t live. The process needs to be discussed by the Commission.
Fees/Maintenance: Discussion took place re: winter burials and time required to fill in gravesites when ground has sunken, referring to the Shapiro site, which did not use a vault. Donna suggested Bruce keep track of the time involved for this kind of repair to the lots. Joy suggested charging more for winter burials to cover the cost of gravesite repairs. Donna read from the fee schedule, which states these types of burials are at the discretion of Bruce and he can impose any additional fees. Donna will discuss with Alison so if the Commission allows burials without a vault, people are made aware up front of the possibility of an additional fee being imposed. Joy thinks a set fee should be on the price list for winter burials and burials without a vault. Bruce agreed. Bruce said he would rather charge more at the time of the burial to cover any additional costs for winter burials and graves without vaults. Fees were briefly discussed and Bruce said he is now keeping track of the cost for each burial (summer & winter) and with or without a vault) since by law he is required to have two (2) persons at the time of an opening and two (2) to cover the grave. He will have figures ready for the Commission with suggestions at the June meeting. Fees will be reviewed and possibly changed at the June meeting, prior to going to the Selectboard for approval.
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Bruce left the meeting.
Hanson Lot: Donna said that Tina Shapiro wishes to purchase the Hanson lot as is (including the memorial foundation) and it is noted that if she wishes to do anything with the foundation, she will need to return to the Commission for approval. Alison Kaiser, Town Clerk will be taking care of the paper work involved.
Book # 2 Discussion:
Mr. Tabor asked where Book # 1 was distributed and Joy said one-half went to individuals and one-half to institutions. She suggested putting a small ad in the Stowe Reporter twice a year (possibly before Memorial Day & Christmas). The website needs to be updated and get links. Different suggestions were made as to where book # 2 could be displayed/advertised, i.e. Newsletters; Book Store; State Libraries; Stowe Area; Brochure Holders (just installed); Annual Report; Stowe Guide (possibly include an article re: Pat Haslam); Historical Society. Donna felt Book # 2 is more for genealogists. Joy will put an ad in the SR prior to Memorial Day and Barbara will attempt to get a list of State Libraries in order that they can be contacted re: the book.
RULES & REGS/FEES:
The changes to the Rules & Regs plus the change in the fee schedule will be on the Select Board’s agenda June 14th for their review/approval and Donna urged members to review them prior to the next meeting.
June meeting to be held June 1st.
Election of Officers will be held at the June meeting.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 9:40.
