MONSON CEMETERY COMMISSION
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 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 Wilcox, Robert Pease, Paul Lovell, William Plante and Gaylin Bingle. David Martin was not present.
Mr. Pease made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of October 6, 2006. Mr. Wilcox seconded the motion.
OLD BUSINESS:
There wasn’t any old business carried over.
NEW BUISINESS:
1. Bill For Wood Chipper Repair – It was reiterated the Cemetery Department borrowed the wood chipper from the Highway Department last month. The Highway Department claims the Cemetery left a piece of wood in the chipper when it was returned. The first time the Highway Department used the chipper following its return, it blew the clutch. The Highway Department brought the chipper to Park Truck & Equipment for repair and gave the bill, totaling $1,004.70, to the Cemetery Department for payment, as they are stating it is the Cemetery’s fault. The Commissioners started to discuss payment of the bill when they felt it would be best to have John
Morrell attend the meeting to see if a compromise could be reached as the Cemetery only used the chipper for a very short time. Paul telephoned Mr. Morrell and invited him to attend the Cemetery Commissioners meeting. At 10:30 a.m. Mr. Morrell arrived. Bill Plante attempted to explain how the wood chipper works to the Cemetery Commissioners, as he has worked with them for several years prior to transferring from the Highway Department to the Cemetery Department. Mr. Morrell became very upset and stopped Mr. Plante in the first sentence stating Mr. Plante shouldn’t be allowed to attend the meetings and that he wasn’t going to stay to discuss this any further. Mr. Wilcox tried to explain to Mr. Morrell that Mr. Plante attends all the meetings and that the Assistant or second full time man has always attended the meetings for their constructive input. Without further word, Mr. Morrell left the meeting. Due to not being able to discuss any negotiations of the repair bill
with Mr. Morrell, Mr. Pease made a motion to not pay the bill or any portion of the bill, and to return the unpaid bill to the Highway Department for payment. Mr. Wilcox seconded the motion.
2. Catcher System for Riding Lawnmower – Paul said he would like to purchase a catcher system for the older riding lawnmower as the new riding mower has the catcher on it and it is working out great, picking up the grass in the summer months and cutting down the amount of time spent on leaf removal in the fall. Paul explained the lawnmower is a 1999, almost eight years old. It is too old to fit with a new catcher. A catcher could possibly be modified to fit the lawnmower for roughly $1,500.00 to $2,000.00. Paul said he could probably get a couple thousand dollars for the lawnmower as a trade-in and purchase a new riding mower with a catcher already on it
for almost the same amount it would cost to modify a system. A new riding mower with a bagger would cost approximately $5,500.00 minus the trade-in for a total cost of approximately $3,500.00. Mr. Pease agreed to get the new riding lawnmower with the catcher now, while it is the end of the season and to try to get the best deal. Mr. Wilcox agreed with Mr. Pease.
3. Black Top – Paul said Billy Cadieux seems to be the cheapest and has agreed to repair the black top road at the top of the wall in Hillside Cemetery, hopefully before winter.
4. Seasonal Help – Paul said the seasonal worker will be working a few more weeks, until November 17th.
5. Gifts and Bequests Account – Mr. Wilcox asked Paul to get an up-dated balance on the Gifts and Bequest Interest Account and reminded everyone Brian Mushenko still needs to repair the roof on the office/garage before winter.
Mr. Pease made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 a.m. Mr. Wilcox seconded the motion.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gaylin Bingle
Recording Secretary
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