MONSON CEMETERY COMMISSION
THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2007
The regular meeting of the Monson Cemetery Commissioners convened at 3:30 p.m. in the office at 32 Wilbraham Road. In attendance were Albert Wilcox, David Martin, Shawn Connery, Paul Lovell and Gaylin Bingle. William Plante was also present.
Mr. Martin made a motion to accept the meeting minutes of March 1, 2007. Mr. Connery seconded and it was so voted.
OLD BUSINESS:
Opening fees – Paul said he received prices from several area cemeteries and felt he would like to increase our fees to be equal to St. Patrick’s Bethany Road Cemetery and the Town of Palmer.
Mr. Martin made a motion to increase the prices as follows:
Cost of cremation lots……………….from $ 75.00…..to $ 150.00
Cost of flush marker lots…………….from 250.00…to 500.00
Cost of monument lots………………from 350.00….to 700.00
Cost of cremation openings………….from 60.00….to 150.00
Cost of full interments openings……..from 250.00….to 500.00
Cost of footings….from $40.00 per square foot for flush markers and $60.00 per square foot for monuments to $80.00 per square surface foot for both.
Prices to be effective May 1, 2007. Mr. Connery seconded and it was so voted.
Mr. Martin also questioned how the undertakers felt about not having weekend burials. Paul said half of the undertakers are inconvenienced by this.
Columbarium – Paul said he and Bill drove to Springfield to look at a columbarium being built in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Springfield but said that is too large compared to what they have in mind. They also checked out a grouping of smaller columbariums in the Veteran’s Cemetery in Agawam and said that is geared more toward what they have in mind. They didn’t have the chance to speak to anyone in the Veteran’s Cemetery as a funeral was being held, and felt it was only the workers present in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Paul said he would put this item into the Capital request somewhere down the road. He recently put a request into the Capital Requests for a new truck. He specked out for a Ford 350. Paul said he also wants to put in a request for a generator to run the electrical equipment
and the cemetery building if the power is out. The cemetery currently has a 1968 generator.
NEW BUSINESS:
Veterans’ flags – It was explained the cemeteries are filled with numerous small flags marking the graves of veterans. The flags get wind torn, blown over, knocked over and holders are broken. This is affecting over 50% of the flags if not more. It was suggested to do away with the individual flags for the veterans and instead follow procedure of the Veterans Cemetery in Agawam and fly just one large flag in Hillside and one in Hillcrest Cemetery on the flagpoles with lights shining on them at night. Paul said the cemetery employees could dig the trench to run the wire so an electrician would only be needed to tie in the wiring, saving the town money. Mr. Wilcox made a motion to get a price from an electrician. Mr. Martin seconded the motion and it was so voted.
Mr. Wilcox made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:45 p.m. Mr. Martin seconded the motion and it was so voted.
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David F. Martin III, member
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