MONSON CEMETERY COMMISSION
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2005
The regular meeting of the Monson Cemetery Commissioners convened at 8:30 a.m. in the office at 32 Wilbraham Road. In attendance were Julian E. Szarlan, Albert T. Wilcox, Robert E. Pease, Paul B. Lovell and Gaylin G. Bingle.
The Recording Secretary read the meeting minutes of October 7, 2005. Mr. Pease made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Mr. Wilcox seconded the motion.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Help for Leaf Season – The Highway Department has two men out on medical leave probably until the end of November. Paul said he didn’t bring Chris Aldrich back in as he and Donald have been using the riding mower to mulch the leaves and this method is working out better then picking the leaves up. It was agreed to keep Donald on full time to help out until the end of leaf season. The mower did break down in the beginning of leaf season and Paul checked the air cleaner, cleaned the plugs, gas tank and fuel lines. It still ran rough and Acres Power Equipment replaced the coils for $198.00. The battery died also and Paul replaced it with a battery
from Interstate Battery for $31.95.
2. Paul’s Vacation Time – The Commissioners agreed unanimously for Paul to take his usual two weeks vacation time for deer hunting season. If any calls come in for burials it was agreed to direct them to the Selectmen’s Office, as no one has been trained to fill in.
3. Tires – Paul will get the new tires on the rear of the truck once leaf season is over.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Chris Dietz joined the meeting. Mr. Dietz has volunteered his time as a concerned citizen and has put together a book on Moulton Hill Road Cemetery, which he donated to the Cemetery Office. The book contains photos he took of every grave with location, inscription, measurements of each monument or marker and the material the monument is made out of. Mr. Dietz used his own money to put this project together, which he said totaled approximately $40.00. Mr. Dietz said he spoke with a man from Notre Dame Cemetery in South Hadley regarding the best way to repair some of the broken stones. Mr. Dietz was told a clear silicone was better to use instead of the epoxy we
use, as it seals it better. He was also told if small pieces of roofing slate are used to straighten monuments it will last longer. Mr. Dietz also presented a copy of this book to the Library and has agreed to give the original pictures to them as well. Nicole from the Palmer Journal interviewed Mr. Dietz on his book and he said he would like to speak with the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Dietz was also interested in finding school classes, scouting groups or other concerned citizens to volunteer their time in raking, repairing stones or in helping out any way possible.
2. Winter Meetings – Mr. Pease made a motion to change the winter meeting time to 10:00 a.m. during the winter months starting with the December meeting. Mr. Wilcox seconded the motion.
3. Union – Mr. Pease announced he is now a member of the AFSCME Union and can officially communication with them regarding any matters.
4. Graves – Paul announced there were a lot of sunken graves around the vaults in Hillcrest Cemetery following the rainstorm and that he spent a day and a half filling them in.
5. Trailer – Paul said sometime in the future, he would like to see if the Highway Department could dig down so gravel could be added behind the building where the landscape trailer is parked as it gets quite muddy there and ruts are being made.
6. Transmission in Truck – Paul said the transmission in the truck has started
making a little noise when going slow. The fluid level is full.
7. Snow Stakes – Paul said he would like to purchase 10’ rebar to cut in half to create 5’ snow stakes. He is currently using 2 X 2 oak stakes and they are hard to hammer into the ground. Paul said he would need about 100 pieces total. Mr. Pease said he has some Paul could have to get started and it was agreed he could purchase some as well.
8. Veterans Marker – Paul said an up-right Veterans marker was received for Hillcrest Cemetery. The grave is located in the monument section where currently there is no monument. Paul said only flat veteran’s markers are allowed in Hillcrest at the foot of graves so there is room for a regular monument. Paul said the up-right veterans markers would look out of place if used instead of a regular monument and didn’t want to start allowing this in Hillcrest Cemetery. The Commissioners agreed not to allow this as well. Paul will contact this person’s son to have the marker changed.
9. Camera – Mr. Pease said he has a Polaroid camera he will donate to the Cemetery Department. This way Paul would be able to take pictures of any vandalism, uncared for flowers prior to being cut down, or anything else deemed necessary.
Mr. Pease made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 a.m. Mr. Wilcox seconded the motion.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gaylin Bingle
Recording Secretary
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