Staff: Kim Dogherty

Kevin Gardner, possible candidate to construct the Churchyard Cemetery wall, met the Trustees to answer any questions they had for him. Doug started out by confirming that his submitted bid was for the amount of $8400. Kevin agreed but noted that the price did not include the stones. Kevin also stated that he estimated on the high side and felt the actual price to construct the wall would be lower than $8400. Kevin, if hired, could start construction in April of 2007, weather permitting. He would like to have the wall completed before Memorial Day but must be done by July. Kevin did inform the Trustees that he had a teaching position starting in July and would not be available after that. This should only present a problem if it rains the entire spring 2007. Kevin explained that the stones must be on site prior to beginning construction of the wall. Kevin felt a single stack wall would be installed quickly if the right stones were used. Doug agreed to e-mail photos of the proposed stones to Kevin so that he could give the Trustees his professional opinion of the stones for this type of wall. The Trustees discussed different designs for the wall using block and shailey stones. Kevin felt he could blend the two types of stones to create a beautifully authentic looking wall. Kevin did explain to the Trustees that a single stack wall would be fragile and for safety reasons he would prefer to use the heavy stones towards the top of the wall. The Trustees agreed. The Trustees thanked Kevin for his time.

The Trustees discussed cutting back on the amount of times Ekstrom mowed the cemeteries. The Trustees were running low on their lawn maintenance budget. Nancy agreed to contact Ekstrom and ask that he wait 14 days between mows. JP Lawn mowed 10-12 times last year and Ekstrom had already mowed 11-12 times this year.

The Trustees noticed $720 taken out of the surveying line item and questioned why it hadn’t been taken out of the encumbered surveying line item.

The secretary agreed to ask Paul Calabria, Finance officer, to correct the mistake. The Trustees requested a copy of both bills submitted by Reggie Ouellette for surveying. The secretary agreed.

The Trustees asked the Secretary to have the bill from Jennings for excavation work taken out of the cemetery wall budget instead of the maintenance budget.

Jeff reported that Dick Medlyn was in Churchyard Cemetery but had not yet started work on fixing the stones. Jeff has not yet started repairs to the Blood Stone located in the Pine Hill Cemetery.

Chris reported that he spoke to Jeff Babel, DPW, and he semi agreed to move the Zinanni Stone for them. Chris agreed to keep the Trustees updated.

Doug visited the East Cemetery and was pleased to see the DPW flagged the road next to Duncan Wright’s grave. In the past it was common for vehicles to travel off the road and over gravesites. Doug suggested a more permanent granite marker be installed next spring to delineate the road boundaries, especially at this particular corner.

Don Ryder, selectmen, reported a couple of cemetery related issues to Doug. Don noticed the Sudbury stone in the East Cemetery was knocked over. Don also pointed out that the flat stones in the cemetery were tough to find because grass was growing over them. Don also suggested the Trustees install a directory in the East Cemetery to help visitors locate gravesites.

The Trustees felt a directory would be costly and difficult to read. Chris suggested erecting a sign informing visitors that a directory of the cemetery was available at town hall. Jeff felt the best way to combat grass growing over flat stones was weedwacking. The Trustees would add this task to the job description for lawn maintenance next year. The Trustees wondered if a directory page with this information could be added to the town website. The secretary was not sure but would ask Deb Adams.

Overall the Cemetery looked great. A large hole needed to be filled at the entrance. The Trustees noticed a very large section of the cemetery was infested with poison ivy. They were not sure exactly how to remove it.

The secretary agreed to contact the DPW for the following:

Fill the large hole at the entrance of the South Cemetery

The Sudbury stone in the EAST Cemetery needs to be put back in place it was knocked over.

Advice on how to start the process of removing poison ivy in South Cemetery.

Nancy to ask Ekstrom to handle the following items:

Schedule a fertilizer application for this fall

Increase the time between mowing from every 7 days to every 14 days.

Trim sumac growing in the NE corner of South Cemetery.

Remove the maple and cherry tree growing in the NE corner of South Cemetery.

None

2 burials performed

Yuksel, Sasha East E-203 8/1/06

Mason, Mary North D-8 8/1/06

0 Lots Sold

Next Meeting will be held September 21, 2006 at 6:00 PM in the Pine Hill Cemetery.

Respectfully submitted,

Kimberly Dogherty, Secretary