The regular meeting of Stowe Cemetery Commission was held Tuesday, April 6, 2010 in the Banquet Room in the Akeley Memorial Building starting at 8:0 A.M.
Members present: Leigh Tabor, George von Trapp, Donna Adams, Judy Demeritt and Joy Fagan. Others present: Alison Kaiser and Jon Hanson.
Minutes of March 3, 2010: Ms. Fagan moved to approved with corrections, seconded by Ms. Demeritt with all in favor.
Report of Bruce Godin: (1) Bruce had told Barbara to report the cemeteries are open for burials and work and water will be turned on in two weeks; (2) Alan Boyea will be taking another look at the white building in Riverbank for renovations; (3) 2 winter burials took place this winter in Riverbank and Bruce said they went relatively well. Donna said no trees in Riverbank have been taken down as yet. Bruce suggested the possibility of meeting at Riverbank for the meeting in May.
Work Order:
Burt, Frank (holder Denise Cushwa) Sec. 9 Lot # 8 Riverbank. Grass level marker. (there are several on the lot in the old section so dimensions are not accurate).
After discussion, Mr. Tabor moved to approve, seconded by Mr. von Trapp with all in favor. Work done by Clegg’s Memorials.
Correspondence: Copies of the agreement from Clegg were distributed to do the corner posts for the Commission with the same terms as last year, including price. Term of agreement is for 5 years.
Alison Kaiser, Town Clerk at 8:30:
Alison was present to discuss the Hanson lot which is being discussed (today with Jon present) and said at the time of Neil Shapiro’s burial, Tina, sister of Neil wanted to purchase a lot next to Neil’s and one was not available. If Jon’s proposition should take place, i.e. return to the town the family lot in order to purchase 2 others side by side) the Hanson lot would become available with the foundation presently on it. Jon Hanson said the foundation is small and the stone is small (not yet on the foundation) and someone else may want a larger one. The foundation would either be taken out for a larger one or used as the base for another small stone, which would not change the land. Any change to the foundation would require the purchaser return to the Commission. The Commission had told Jon the town would consider selling him 2 lots with the provision that Jon donates his single lot back to the town, which would be used for beautification, and then would allow the Hanson family to purchase two (2) lots side by side. Discussion followed re: adding on to the existing foundation, which Ms. Fagan said would not work in the cemetery and in that area. Mr. Hanson, who works for Walker Construction, said a foundation can be added onto and it is done all the time in his business. Mr. Tabor asked Jon if Ms. Shapiro asked to add onto the foundation could he do it and Jon said, absolutely. Ms. Adams will write a letter to Alison detailing what the Commission will allow and Alison can then contact Tina Shapiro to see if she wishes to purchase the lot. Mr. Hanson suggested the Commission not make restrictions, but only to inform the average person of what can and cannot be done re: the foundation, but make. Mr. Hanson was in agreement with the Commission’s proposal, but if his lot is sold to Shapiro, he would expect the purchase price go toward one of the two lots he wishes to purchase. Mr. Hanson suggested Alison ask Ms. Shapiro and if she does not want the lot, he will then make his decision based on the Commission’s agreement. Jon said he does not wish to acquire the existing family lot being discussed, but is firm on purchasing two lots.
Jon Hanson: asked if the Commission would consider putting the following in their Rules & Regs : The Stowe Cemetery is a community cemetery, is non-discriminatory, and shall not be divided therein with regard to race, creed, national origin or sex orientation. tape 1 side 2 Ms. Fagan said that may or may not go against state statute. Any one can be buried in the Stowe cemeteries. Ms. Fagan said the Commission decides on a case by case basis and to make a regulation opens up for discussion and would not look good in the rules. Stowe does not discriminate. Mr. Hanson said it has been an issue, he is asking the Commission to state that the cemetery will not be divided according to the things (stated above which may not be the entire list), it is not the intent, and no one should bother to ask for anything like that. Mr. von Trapp said the Commission could take it under advisement and possibly seek legal opinion as there are a lot of issues. Ms. Adams suggested she contact the League for their opinion. Mr. von Trapp said everything the Cemetery does is reviewed/approved by the Selectboard as the Commission is only advisory. It will be on the agenda at some future time, but the immediate future is the Commission’s busy time of year.
Book # 2: There is a meeting in Hanover, NH where someone from the Commission could sell the books but Ms. Fagan cannot go alone. Ms. Adams will give the info re: the meeting to Ms. Fagan.
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Ms. Fagan suggested the Historical Society possible try and sell the books outside of the Memorial Building some day(s) in the summer which would make both their books and the Cemetery books available to tourists.
Rules & Regs:
Ms. Adams met with Cliff Johnson, interim Public Works Director for the town re: requirements for large monuments. Members reviewed/approved the suggestions which will go to the Selectboard for their approval and if approved, be added to the Rules. Ms. Fagan said there could be a cost involved in the future for any large monuments which were to be approved. Mr. von Trapp questioned if the Commission could deny based on maintenance, and felt it is spelled out in the proposed regs. After discussion by the Commission, Mr. von Trapp moved to ask the Selectboard to accept the revisions as written, seconded by Mr. Tabor with all members in favor. (COPY ATTACHED)
Ms. Fagan suggested the Selectboard do a site visit, with the Commission to the Cemeteries in Stowe.
Mr. von Trapp received a letter from Morgan Stanley announcing that Omar Graddock, the Commission’s financial advisor, is one of 1,000 America’s Top advisors.
