CEMETERY COMMISSIONERS MEETING OF AUGUST 6, 2004
PRESENT: Robert E. Pease, Julian E. Szarlan, Albert T. Wilcox, Paul B. Lovell, John R. Nothe and Gaylin G. Bingle.
Mr. Pease call the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by the clerk and accepted with a motion by Mr. Wilcox and seconded by Mr. Szarlan.
OLD BUSINESS:
New Computer – Nothing will be done with purchasing a new computer until things slow down for the season.
NEW BUSINESS:
Tractor Repair – Glenn’s Mobile Service in Monson, replaced the clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing and surfaced the flywheel in the Cemetery backhoe. The cost of labor was $615.00. Paul purchased the parts separately for $330.83 from Allpower in Granby.
Chain Saw on a Pole – Paul called around for prices on a chain saw on a pole. Acres Power Equipment has a saw which reaches between 9 feet and 12 feet 10 inches for $579.00. Palmer Saw has a saw on a pole for $500.00. Mr. Szarlan and Mr. Pease felt for safety purposes they would rather hire someone to cut the branches rather then have John and Paul cutting branches above their heads. Paul said there are a lot of low branches that need to be pruned and feels ladders are too unstable to use while using a chain saw. Mr. Pease made a motion to table this discussion for now. Mr. Szarlan seconded the motion.
Telephone Call – Mr. Wilcox explained a telephone call that he received from a resident in Palmer whose father has passed away and is buried in Hillcrest Cemetery. The woman stated she had flowers planted and had an arch on the grave that were removed. She was upset that everything had been removed by July 5th when she came into the cemetery. Mr. Wilcox said he went over the rules and regulations with her as to the removal of flowers and decorations and as to just what could be planted and placed on graves.
Lowering Device – The Cemetery’s lowering device was donated by the Lombard Funeral Home in 1967 and now the crank on the lowering device is getting too bad to use. A new lowering device would need to be purchased, or possibly our device could be repaired. A new device would cost approximately $3,000.00. The vault company provides this service for a $25.00 charge to the Undertaker. The Commissioners agreed to have the vault company start providing the lowering device and the greens. The Cemetery will still provide and place the planks, and fill in the grave after the service. By doing this, two men will be needed to open and close the grave, but only one worker will need to be present during the actual funeral.
Mr. Pease made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 a.m. Mr. Szarlan seconded the motion.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gaylin G. Bingle
Recording Secretary
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