MONSON CEMETERY COMMISSION
FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2006
The regular meeting of the Monson Cemetery Commissioners convened at 10:00 a.m. in the office at 32 Wilbraham Road. In attendance were Albert T. Wilcox, Robert E. Pease, Paul B. Lovell and Gaylin G. Bingle. Julian E. Szarlan was not present.
The Recording Secretary read the meeting minutes of February 3, 2006 into the record. Mr. Pease made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Mr. Wilcox seconded the motion.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Roof on Building at Hillcrest – Mr. Pease said he spoke with Brian Mushenko regarding the placement of angle iron on the roof of the building at Hillcrest to stop the snow from sliding off. Mr. Mushenko told Mr. Pease it would cost approximately $400.00 to install the angle iron.
2. Transmission on Truck – Paul said he would bring the Cemetery pick-up to a little garage in Hampden for a quick look to see what they think, as the Commissioners agreed Paul should bring the truck in to have the hesitation in the transmission checked.
3. Straightening of Monuments – Paul said it would cost approximately $20,000.00
plus to straighten all the leaning monuments. Mr. Pease said he spoke with Mr.
Dietz and told him the book he made was a terrific idea and that he would be
doing the town a big favor if he continued with the remaining cemeteries, but felt
it was a waste of time to discuss and make plans to carry out the restoration work
if the funds and manpower weren’t there to see it though. Paul added he wasn’t
crazy about the idea of lying the monuments down on the ground as people and
equipment would be going over them all the time speeding up the deteriorating
condition of the monuments. Mr. Wilcox agreed nothing could be done now, but
felt a plan could be drawn up to get an estimate of work and funds involved.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Meeting with the Finance Committee – Mr. Wilcox said he and Paul met with the Finance Committee on Monday (February 27th) at 8:15 p.m. The meeting was unofficial and off the record, as not enough members of the Finance Committee were in attendance to form a quorum. Mr. Wilcox and Paul agreed they would like to set up another meeting. Mr. Pease said he would attend the next meeting with the Finance Committee if Paul is able to set it up early enough in the evening. Mr. Wilcox said he feels the department needs a second full-time employee, not only to help out with the workload, but worries about Paul getting hurt while working alone and feels
it is a safety issue as well. Mr. Wilcox thanked Paul for his presentation and thanked Gaylin for all the work she does.
2. Fence at Stafford Road Cemetery – Paul said 24’ of the wooden picket fence is down at Stafford Road Cemetery. It appears a car went off the road and traveled 30’ striking the fence, based on the car parts Paul found laying on the ground. The parts were turned over to the Police Department along with reporting the incident. Mr. Pease suggested replacing the fence with chain link. Paul said he has three spare sections of picket fence, which were put together at the time the fence was assembled and fells this should be enough to replace the damaged sections. However, the fence at Bennett Road Cemetery is rotting quite badly and needs
replacing. There is approximately 101’ of fence Paul would like to replace with chain link with the white inserts. Paul said the approximate cost would be between $1,500.00 and $2,000.00. The Commissioners agreed to have Paul get estimates on the cost for fence replacement using chain link fence at Bennett Road Cemetery.
Mr. Pease made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:10 a.m. Mr. Wilcox seconded the motion.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gaylin Bingle
Recording Secretary
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