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Cemetery Commission Minutes 01.15.2024

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Meeting date: 
Monday, January 15, 2024
Cemetery Commission of Francestown
Minutes of January 15, 2024 Meeting
 
Present: Trustees: Polly Freese, Bridget Howell, Ethel Mac Stubbs Meg Hardwick (Alternate)
Additional attendee: Jan Hicks Meeting Called to Order at 1:00 p.m.
  1. Old Business
    • Motion was made by Ethel Mac Stubbs and Seconded by Polly Freese to enter into non-public session pursuant to RSA 91-A:3, II(e) at 1:10 p.m. Polly; Aye, Bridget; Aye, Ethel; Aye. Motion passes. Others present: Meg Hardwick (Alternate). Jan Hicks asked to temporarily leave. The Board received an update on complaint by citizen and asked Ethel to follow up. No decisions on merits were made. A motion was made by Ethel Mac Stubbs and seconded by Polly Freese to exit the non-public session at 1:20 p.m. Motion passes unanimously. Jan Hicks re-enters meeting.
    • Draft of minutes of meeting of November 30, 2023 submitted for approval. Motion by Ethel to approve minutes, subject to additions. Motion seconded by Polly. Motion passes unanimously.
    • Work by Francestown Sand and Gravel on creating entrance in stone wall in North section of wall has been completed and invoice for $607.50 received. Trustees agree to have Ethel forward payment request to Trustees of Cemetery Maintenance Trust Fund via Jamie. Bridget will inform Jamie.
RE: Notifying public about improvement. Ethel put notice in Francestown News and Bridget will ask Jamie to put notice on town website.
  • Shed replacement- Cemetery No. 3. Before Town Meeting, we need a drawing and pictures of “before” condition. Ethel and Meg volunteered to work on getting dimensions asap, and Meg will take pictures. Ethel will try to cover getting drawing and knows someone who may be willing help at no cost. Bridget will ask Jamie what we need to have prepared before Town Meeting.
  • Abandoned lot. We ran an ad as required by NH statutes to reclaim LeBonte (Lot number 239 , Cemetery no. 3). We have had no response and 60 day claim period has run. Bridget will update database, Ethel will note on map and cards.
  1. New Business
    • Tech update. Bridget and Meg note it would be advisable to use some advanced tech to keep track of lot ownership and to have some sort of tech (eg Ground Penetrating Radar) for locating old burials. Meg noted that she has name of company with package offering to do it (they gave her estimated
 
price of $6,000, but require yearly fee, too). Trustees agree to follow up on this at later meeting .
  • Cemetery gates have been closed for the winter.
  • Green Burial. We need to research who would dig/supervise an actual burial. Effie talked to Karl Michaud , owner of crematorium in Milford. They are willing to do it, have done green burials and have their own backhoe. She will also talk to Jellison Funeral Home. We would have families of deceased pay them directly (as we do now for regular burials).
  • Plans for Green burial project need fleshing out and researched, including decisions on where burials will be and promulgating rules. Bridget will re- forward bullet point memo from NH Cemetery Commission meeting this fall to Trustees and Jan.
  • Discussion and agreement on idea of setting schedule of regular monthly meetings at designated day and time. Motion by Bridget to set second Tuesday of month at 9:30 a.m. as designated day and time. Second by Ethel. Motion passes unanimously and going forward regularly scheduled meetings will be second Tuesday of the month, at 9:30 a.m.
 
Motion by Bridget to adjourn. Seconded by Polly. Motion approved and meeting adjourned at 2:25p.m.