The regular meeting of the Stowe Cemetery Commission was held Tuesday, March 9, 2010 in the Banquet Room in the Akeley Memorial Building starting at 8:00 A.M.
Members present: Donna Adams, Joy Fagan and George von Trapp. Absent: Leigh Tabor and Judy Demeritt.
Also present: Bruce Godin.
Minutes of February 2, 2010: Mr. von Trapp moved to approve as written, seconded by Mrs. Fagan with all in favor.
Bruce Godin’s Report:
(1) Mr. Godin said he had not done anything about the trees in Riverbank as yet.
(2) There are additional memorials to be restored which will be going out to bid.
(3) Mr.Godin will ask Alan Boyea take another look at the garage in Riverbank to accommodate storage of the hearses, including a form of security. Mrs. Adams suggested members need to know what changes, i.e. overhead door installation, will be proposed and the price to do the job, there being $6200 in the budget starting July 1st. Mr. Godin said after the hearses are moved, he will bring some of the items he now stores in the building over to the garage in the village for storage.
(4) Mr. Godins’ staff will be taking over the maintenance of flowers for the town as opposed to hiring an outside firm.
Mr. Godin suggested the Commission visit the garage in Riverbank at the May meeting.
Decorations in Cemeteries: Mr. Godin said it will always be a problem and difficult to tell someone they can’t put something on their burial ground, however, it is the planting of trees and bushes, which create the problem. Sign Boards: Mr. Godin will contact the Green Mountain Club and the State of Vt. to see where they get their signboards. Barbara Allaire was asked to order two more of the 3 pocket sign holders, one for West Branch and Old Yard for the brochures/Rules & Regs that the Commission suggests.
Cleaning Memorials: Mr. Godin stated there are still memorials, which need cleaning, especially in Old Yard and Riverbank, which could be cleaned with water by his crew. Some of the writing cannot be read. Mrs. Fagan will check to see if Nu-Stone has been approved for marble.
Continuing the discussion re: decorations. Mr. Godin said there are only a few (6) real violations, some of which include plastic/metal ornaments, which could be dangerous if hit with a mower. Mr. Godin will remove such items when he feels they are a problem. It was agreed to start the notification process by putting in a flyer in the signboard and put a notice in the Stowe Reporter prior to Memorial Day.
Winter Burials: Mrs. Fagan suggested the Commission think about allowing winter burials, when possible, saying it makes it so much easier for the family.Mr. von Trapp agreed. She said the vault company has the equipment to open graves in the winter. Mr. Godin said he has to be careful as the roads are narrow and depending where in the cemetery the grave is, and the weather, it is not always possible. Mrs. Adams said winter burials are allowed, pending the decision of Mr. Godin and it states so in the fee schedule. Members agreed it probably would not be possible in the old sections. Mrs. Adams will speak with the Town Clerk to make her aware that winter burials are a possibility. tape 1 side 2
Mrs. Fagan acknowledged the donation sent from the Cemetery Commission in memory of her husband Bill, to the Joy A. & William T. Fagan Foundation at UVM.
Corner Posts Contract: John Clegg has asked to have his contract renewed under the same conditions as the past year. After discussion, it was agreed to renew for a three (3) year period if the conditions and the price remain the same. Barbara will notify Mr. Clegg.
Jon Hanson Request: Mrs. Adams said Jon Hanson has been in touch with her saying his siblings feel the memorial on his Dad’s lot (which is a single lot with no interred remains) is too large for the lot. The request is to purchase two new lots and move the memorial to those lots, selling the existing lot back to the town. Discussion took place about the existing foundation. Mrs. Fagan said the Commission does not want to start precedence. Members felt it would be expensive for the family to remove the foundation and members felt it would no doubt disturb the ground so that the lot could not be resold, but it is a possibility to do at the family’s expense through the approval process. Mr. von Trapp suggested the family give the lot back to the town and leave the foundation, which the town could possibly use for a bench or something. Mr. von Trapp moved to sell two (2) burials rights to the Joe Hanson Estate, relinquishing the burial rights of Lot 32 Riverbank, and donate to the Town of Stowe. Mrs. Fagan seconded with all members present in favor.
Correspondence from Pat Haslam: Mrs. Haslam asked that someone possibly go April 24th to Hanover, N.H. to the Vt. Genealogical Society meeting and take copies of book # 2 with order blanks to sell from 9-12 noon. Mrs. Adams will contact Barbara Baraw or Wendy Parrish to see if they are going. Mrs. Fagan will redo the order blanks in case someone goes.
Revisions to Rules & Regs: Mrs. Adams will be asking to be on the Selectboard’s agenda to explain the Commission’ stand on large monuments.
There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 A.M.
