In attendance:
Chris Buzzy
Joe Oliver
Jeff Snow
Doug Gagne
C. Buzzy called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Acceptance of the minutes of the August meeting was postponed until the next regularly-scheduled meeting of the Trustees.
Old Business:
J. Oliver reported that the overseeding work at the North Cemetery was completed on October 1, 2005. Some concern was expressed for the lateness of the work as well as the recent heavy rains that may have washed seed away.
C. Buzzy walked the grounds with Herm Stickney, who informed him that the sassafras suckers that have re-emerged after brush clearing on the outside of the stone wall adjacent to the parking lot can be controlled by several mowings. JP Lawn Maintenance will be asked to mow this area and charge us on a time basis. Future maintenance bids will need to include this area as part of the regular upkeep.
D. Gagne presented a letter from the Hollis Historic District Commission, giving their approval of the proposed work on the east side of the Churchyard Cemetery. Approval was granted to remove trees and brush, and install a stone wall, pending final approval by the HHDC of the walls’ appearance. C. Buzzy mentioned that Herm Stickney, of Pioneer Tree Service, has given a bid of $3,800.00 to remove the trees and brush, which includes the grinding of the stumps. D. Gagne suggested that C. Buzzy ask Mr. Stickney to deduct the cost of stump grinding, as it would be better to remove the stumps entirely by digging them out. If Pioneer Tree is unable to remove the stumps, C. Buzzy will find another contractor to perform this service. Some discussion took place as to how to treat the area after the removal of the brush. A temporary fence was discussed and decided against. Instead, after the stumps are removed, the area is to be graded smooth, adding loam if necessary.
D. Gagne reported that the tree that the Rogers family had requested to plant in the East Cemetery has been installed. Some discussion then ensued as to the list of trees that D. Gagne is working on which will be added to the Rules and Regulations. It was agreed that the list be broad enough to include many different choices, but that the final selections meet certain criteria of compact size, ease of maintenance, etc. Another list of unacceptable trees will also be written. It was suggested that some guidelines be set up to ensure that the new plantings have adequate space to grow; D. Gagne recommended minimum distance between trees to be 20 feet. He also offered to draw upa plan for the tree row at East Cemetery, showing potential planting locations. Jeff Babel from the Hollis DPW has expressed a concern that tree roots may interfere with the digging of graves and the setting of markers and monuments.
J. Snow indicated that he has received from Dick Medlyn of Medlyn Monument a quote of $475.00 to repair stones in South Cemetery, and of $1,000.00 to reset stones that have fallen over. After some discussion, J. Snow moved to appropriate $1,475.00 for this work to be completed by Dick Medlyn, seconded by C. Buzzy. It was unanimously approved. J.Snow will make the arrangements. He also reported that he had repaired another stone at Pine Hill Cemetery using epoxy, but that at least one other needed repair.
C. Buzzy informed the Trustees that a letter has been sent out to the applicant who requested permission to have a perpetual light installed on a gravestone, denying the request. He followed up the letter with a telephone call to explain the reason for the Trustees’ refusal of her application.
C. Buzzy also reported that some overgrown bushes had been removed from one of the Lund family lots at East Cemetery by the Hollis DPW. A member of the Lund family called the Town Hall, saying that she could not find 2 family grave stones. C. Buzzy visited the cemetery, and after some searching, was able to locate them. The family member was contacted.
C. Buzzy mentioned that Thomas Flynn, a Hollis Boy Scout, has organized a work party of fellow Scouts to reset some small grave stones at the South Cemetery this Saturday. A small hole will be dug, and crushed stone added to the bottom, on which the stones will be reset.
New Business:
The Hollis Police Department has been asked again to conduct security checks at the Pine Hill Cemetery this Saturday, Sunday and Monday, which is Halloween. They will be looking for any signs of suspicious activity.
It was noted by C. Buzzy that the pile of loam in the northeast corner of the East Cemetery has been migrating toward a gravestone. C. Buzzy will contact the Hollis DPW and ask that the pile be made smaller and moved away from the lots.
2006 Budget: The Trustees are to meet with the Hollis Selectmen on Monday, October 31st to present our budget request. Here is a summary:
Line Item 2005 Amount Spent to date 2006 Request
Grounds maintenance: $14,000.00 $7,000.00 $18,000.00*
Monument repairs: $1,000.00 $0.00 ** $1,000.00
Lime, seed and fertilizer: $3,000.00 $0.00 *** $2,000.00
Surveying: $2,000.00 $0.00 $2,000.00****
Security: $600.00 $0.00 ****** $750.00
Cemetery wall: $5,000.00 $0.00 ****** $???*******
We are anticipating higher bids due to higher fuel costs, as well as a possible change in contractors bidding on the work
A total of $1,475.00 has been approved for monument repairs this year.
A bill for $570.00 from Exstrom Lawn Care is due.
Some of this money is to be used to survey the Churchyard Cemetery in advance of the stone wall, some or all of the balance to be dedicated to the planning of the East Cemetery Extension.
Last year’s bill for HPD Halloween security totalled $740.00.
Much of this amount will be applied to the removal of the hedgerow in advance of the installation of the stone wall.
We have not yet received a bid to complete the wall. It is expected to be somewhere between $5,000 - $10,000.
(J. Snow left the meeting at 7:40; a quorum was still present.)
Winter projects include updating the Rules and Regulations to add a new section on tree planting, and a new paragraph prohibiting the use of perpetual lights. Other subjects to be discussed will be whether or not to allow the installation of video screens on gravestones, painted gravestones, etc., and the planning of the new section of the East Cemetery.
J. Oliver moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. It was seconded by C. Buzzy, and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Doug Gagne
Acting Secretary