Town of Stowe, Vermont - Cemetery Commission

Copies of Cemetery Commission minutes may also be obtained by contacting Barbara Allaire (802)253-6147.

The regular meeting of the Cemetery Commission was held Tuesday, June 7, 2011 in the Banquet Room in the Akeley Memorial Building starting at 8:00 A.M.

Members present: Judy Demeritt, Donna Adams and Leigh Tabor. Absent: Joy Fagan and George von Trapp. Also present: Bruce Godin, Superintendent of Parks.

Minutes of May 10, 2011: Judy Demeritt moved to approve with minor corrections, seconded by Legh Tabor with all in favor.

Tatro, Edward: Sec 25 Lots 20 & 21 Riverbank. Foundation and Memorial. Clegg Memorials.

Nolin, Robert & David: Sec 2C Lot 86 West Branch. Cleaning by Clegg Memorials.

Knapp, Karen: Sec 26 Lot 21 Riverbank: Foundation and Memorial by VL Perkins Co.

Judy Demeritt moved to approve the above work orders, seconded by Leigh Tabor with all in favor.

Bruce Godin’s Report: Bruce questioned if money is being well spent in repairs in Old Yard unless it is a tall monument. Most slabs have no foundations. Discussion followed and members felt they should try and keep up the ones that have tipped over by installing foundations. It was agreed Old Yard is the most visible and is visited by many so it is important to keep it up as best possible. Bruce agreed to do a few with foundations to see how it works and the time spent to do the work or hire someone to do it. It is going to cost money and it is up to the Selectboard to determine which way they want to go. Bruce agreed to try and see how it works and in the future address budget concerns when we know what is involved in the upgrades.

Bruce felt the construction of the vault could affect some of the old stones nearby.

Bruce told the Commission that the Fire Works people will be going through the cemetery this 4^th of July. He said there is a substantial amount of debris after the fireworks are set off and his crew has a great deal of clean up in the cemetery. Last year there was 7 of Bruce’s crew who picked up for better than an hour. Donna asked if this year is a one time situation? It was felt that there should be something in the contract stating they are responsible for the clean-up. Bruce left the meeting

8:30 Omar Graddock re: Investments: Mr. Graddock explained the current situation with the Commission’s investments and said in the 12 months, May to May, the account is up 24% (Blue Chip Account) and is now back where it started prior to 2008. Every year has been positive except 2008. Stock account is $99,394 & Bond account $ 233,535 (short term 2-3 years for liquidity and to protect if interest rates were to rise) for a total of $332,929. Omar felt there will some good growth in the next year. Discussion continued with the members feeling satisfied with the condition of their investments. tape 1 side 2 Omar left at 9:14 A.M. and was thanked for coming.

See above for Work Orders except for Gray

Gray, Dorothy Sec. 26 Lots 22 & 23 Riverbank: Corner markers have been ordered to be placed to encompass the 2 lots. McLaughlin, the grandmother’s ashes are being disinterred and will be brought here for burial in lot # 23. A marker is being requested for her lot and an upright marker for the Gray lot. They bought 2 lots since Dorothy is a resident. The Gray memorial being requested is an old style slab memorial, 30” x 3” by 5’ tall with 12” (which will be underground) but no foundation. Donna suggested it is so tall it could need pins and a foundation. Members agreed there needs to be a 4’ foundation and pins and the 4’ is the face which is above the ground. Barbara will call Clegg and explain. Members agreed the flush marker for McLaughlin is approvable.

The daughter, Susan Gray wrote that at some point they may ask for other burials in the 2 lots. Barbara w ill explain the options to Clegg. If the Gray memorial is to be 5’ from the ground up there needs to be a 4’ foundation and there could never be an upright on lot # 23. If no taller than 4’ it still requires a 4’ foundation to meet the requirements. Judy suggested that if the 2 lots are to be separated, there should be corner markers for each lot.

Bigelow/Fred Smith lots in West Branch: Fred Smith previously applied for a bench to be placed on their 4 lots in West Branch. All of the burials thus far have been in a row along the two lots. There is a huge monument in the middle that straddles all 4 of the lots. The problem is where they wish to place the bench. Bruce probed and there is a vault in that location so the bench can’t straddle the line. The bench would have to be off set. The Smiths are not certain where they wish to have their cremains.

(2) The Smiths are not heirs of Wilbur who owns lot # 35. There are other heirs, Brooks & Barbara & John Sheridan and Sarah Moore would be required to sign off giving the Smith’s the right to be buried there. There appears to be plenty of room but they would have to be worked around shrubs and trees. 9 people are already buried on one side and there should be 6 remaining sites. tape 2 side 1 Donna will respond to Mr. Smith and suggest she meet him at West Branch.

Book # 2 Discussion: Pat Haslam is a member of the National Genealogical Society and has suggested the Commission donate a book to the Circulating /Collection, a lending library. It can then be listed on a page, which goes out in a newsletter at no cost for advertising. It would cost a minimum $250 to go in a magazine/program, which goes out quarterly. After little more discussion, Leigh moved to donate a book, which will then be advertised, Judy seconded with all in favor.

Donna will ask Alison for the information, which includes the number of books, which have been sold, and to whom.

Members signed a card for Joy who had had a stroke and in the Burlington Rehab Center. We all wish her well and a speedy recovery.

The regular meeting of the Cemetery Commission was held Tuesday, September 6, 2011 in the Memorial Hall in the Akeley Memorial Building starting at 8:00 A.M.

Members present: Leigh Tabor, George von Trapp, Donna Adams and Judy Demeritt. There is presently a vacancy on the Commission as Joy Fagan who physically not able to remain as a member, has resigned.

Minutes of August 2, 2011: Mr. von Trapp moved to approve with minor corrections, seconded by Mr. Tabor with all in favor.

(1) Bruce said Farr Tree Service will be taking down the large pine trees (3-4) very soon and plans are to plant new trees.

(2) The road in and out of the Cemetery has been repaired after the flood and is now open

WORK ORDERS

Town of Stowe/Remembrance Program: Sec. 1 (off the driveway) Riverbank Foundation by Clegg Memorials for monument being given by Ralph Heath. The location was agreed upon last month after a site visit with Mr. Heath, Donna, Bruce, Betty Teffner, Judy Demeritt and Barbara Allaire.

Bruce left the meeting to check on a couple of things at Riverbank and will return

Russell, Jessie & Lillian (submitted by Roderick Russell: Sec. 9 West Branch Lot 72 Cleaning by Clegg Memorials

Mr. Tabor moved to approve the two above, seconded by Ms. Demeritt with all in favor.

A.B. Weeks/Hart Sec 1 lot # 20 Riverbank: Plans are for a new flush marker for Lucille to be done by Clegg Memorials. Bruce stated when he returned the lot is 21’ x16’ with no corner posts and the members felt there should be. He questioned how others could be buried in the lot. Mr. Tabor moved to approve with the condition corner posts be installed, seconded by Mr. von Trapp with all in favor.

Herrick, John Sec. 8 Lots 14/29/44 Riverbank (submitted by Marnie MacKenzie) work to be done by Clegg Memorials for a foundation, memorial and cleaning. This marker is for John who is not buried in this lot. Members were confused with the numbering of the lots and questioned if the marker is being squeezed in and is the marker like the others on the lot? Need a better site map. POSTPONED for further information.

Payment of Foundation for Memorial: Clegg quoted a price of $510 for the Heath foundation. After discussion as to where the money will come from, Mr. von Trapp suggested it come from the Commission’s budget as well as the Remembrance Committee’s contribution. All in agreement.

Joy Fagan’s Resignation: Ms. Adams told members Joy has resigned due to health issues and will be going to Pillsbury Manor in Burlington for a few months. Members will come up with ideas as to what they can do to thank Joy for her service.

Financial Report: Mr. von Trapp said everything remains the same. Barbara will ask Karla Spaulding for the final financial report in order to make certain the $5,000 for stone restoration comes out of last year’s budget.

Tape 1 side 2 9:00 A.M. Mr.& Mrs Fred Smith were in attendance to discuss the Bigelow lot in West Branch. Green Mountain Landscaping has given a price to move the hydrangea bush of $250. Ms. Adams said the proposed bench had been discussed and the size is fine, the problem is the proposed location. The Commission suggested moving the bush and place the bench in line with the row of monuments on the lot next to the Bigelow lot. Mr. Smith said the hydrangea bush is very beautiful and proposed a different location for the bench, locating it on the west side of the lot straddling lots 54 & 55. (the 4 lots are 40’ x 20’) There are two sisters who wish to be buried in the lot and possibly two other family members, in addition to Mr. & Mrs Smith. The Commission felt there needs to be documentation that the others agree to having the bench as it will be placed across the two lots. After discussion, Mr. Tabor moved to approve as presented, seconded by Ms. Demeritt with the following CONDITIONS: (1) receipt of permission from the other family members for the placement of the bench and (2) a foundation contract/certificate of insurance be on file from Densmore Monuments. (it is on file). All in favor.

Foundation Discussion Bruce felt pea stone or 2’ of crushed stone could be used for slant markers with no base of a certain size, i.e. could be 2’ x18” overall or 28” x 16” maximum for single lot. Flush markers can go directly in the ground. There was no resolution and the discussion will be continued at the next meeting.

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 A.M.

Stowe Cemetery Commission APPROVED 10.18.11

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Judy Demeritt and Donna Adams met in the Memorial Room starting at 8:00 A.M. in order to review pending Work Orders. Absent were: George von Trapp and Leigh Tabor .

There is a vacancy on the Commission at this time.

Gomo, David G & Linda A. West Branch Section 10 Lot # 7. Grass marker for David Gomo. Northern Mausoleum (Richard LaBlanc) contractors. Approved with the following conditions: The marker is 4” thick per regulations and if not the holder/purchaser bears the responsibility for cracking or failure of the marker and its removal as a hazard or unsightly.

Neilson, Robert Sr. : Section 26 Lots 26 & 27 Riverbank. Foundation, memorial, grass marker. Clegg Memorials doing the work.

Gray, Dorothy Riverbank, Section 26 Lot #23 Foundation and memorial. Clegg Memorials provider. Mrs Gray stated by letter that she now wants the two lots separated (her Mother’s marker McLaughlin, one lot) so it was determined that another set of corner markers are required.

The above orders were approved with the conditions per Donna and Judy.

Judy and Donna discussed a letter from Veronica Laraway Aiken stating they are interested in selling part of the family cemetery lot # 88 in West Branch, Sec. 1 as there are no family members who wish to use it. In the discussion, it was decided it would be difficult to trace the ownership as presented and it is not known who is buried there and could not take her word for no one else wanting to be buried there. It was decided to write to Ms. Aiken and explaining that West Branch is a designated historic cemetery and lots are not being sold.

There being no further business which could be taken care of since there was not a quorum, we left at 9:15 A.M.

It was decided to have a meeting October 18^th and November 8^th.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara S. Allaire