Monson Cemetery Commission
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The monthly meeting of the Cemetery Commission opened at 6:10pm in the office at 32 Wilbraham Road. Commissioners present were: Al Wilcox, Jim Duggan and Shawn Connery. Also present was Paul Lovell, Superintendent.
Minutes of the June 4, 2009 meeting were read. Some minor corrections were made and a motion was made and seconded – motion passed minutes accepted with correction.
Jim handed out some copies of information for the Commissioners. One was MGL chapter 114 and the other information was articles from magazines and information from the Mass. Cemetery Association.
OLD BUSINESS:
CPA application was discussed. Paul met with Randy Pascale who said he would prepare something for us, but Paul had not received it as of our meeting. Randy made a suggestion to Paul that we hire a consultant who deals with stone/concrete work, to help us write up a proposal with specifics on the work that will need to be done and what is expected from the contractor on this project. This is so when we (if we) go out to bid on this that everyone would be bidding on the same exact project as we requested. We discussed how we would pay for a consultant and a possibility would we use some funds from the Perpetual Care fund. Jim will contact Bob Havles of Architectural Insights in Palmer to see if he could recommend someone for us.
Next we discussed the Norcross Grant application that we would like to apply for. The purpose of applying here is to get some funds to have some older not so healthy trees removed from our cemeteries and then have some new, flowering/ornamental trees put in. The Commissioners voted to move forward in this venture. A progress report would be given at our next meeting.
Paul discussed the damaged pillar at Hillcrest Cemetery. He received prices from Jim Finnegan and Randy Pascale and spoke to both. Jim Finnegan’s price (which does not include prevailing wages) is $847.90 to fix the pillar. Randy’s price (which does include prevailing wages) is $3,890.00 which is to fix the damaged one and also fix the other pillar as it is showing sign of deterioration. We discussed these and decided to hold off on the work. Paul found out the town’s deductible is $2,500 and may not be covered by the insurance company as the pillars are further away from the building than allowed.
Paul discussed the condition of the truck again. The dump body is rusted and Paul has repaired / welded many areas but more repairs are needed to get ready for inspection. Paul spoke with Art North who has volunteered his services / labor to sandblast and repaint the body as long as we supply the materials. Paul said he would look into the costs of the materials.
The camera purchase was squashed by Gretchen saying that the need is not there. She also said that there are town departments that have cameras and that we would be able to borrow when needed. We did receive an older one from the Assessor’s Office as they had just purchased a new one.
NEW BUSINESS:
Paul informed us that he will get two students from Pathfinder to work 25 hrs/wk fro the summer work program. He will make sure they are old enough to operate power equipment.
Hub informed Paul that he has a paving project for Wilbraham Road on his list and that he is going to include the entrance to the Cemetery on this project. It is welcome.
Selectmen requested from departments to prepare and submit three budgets: first with a 15%, then 20% and finally a 30% reduction from current figures. Paul has figured these out and prepared the ramifications of the cuts should any come to fruition. This was prepared, typed and brought to the Gretchen. Basically any one of these cuts would cripple our department or cause severe service cuts or elimination. We hope that it was made clear in the letter to them.
Jim had several questions that related to past minutes that had been approved. Many questions were informational purpose and the others were to see and make sure that we followed up on what was or should have been done. All questions were answered and projects that should have been started or completed were or are being done.
Discussions out of the above questions were regarding the fences at North Main Street and Main Street cemeteries. North Main Street is an old wooden picket fence in need of constant repairs and paint. Main Street is an old iron fence where it needs constant repairs, paint and the gate is very difficult to open or close. In stead of repairing and repainting it or not at all because of time and money, the Commissioners instructed Paul to seek prices to have them replaced with low maintenance ones. The North Main Street with a plastic picket fence and the Main Street one with an aluminum one. Both fences should be very similar to looks as possible to the original ones that are there now. One way we are looking to pay for these is to expend some of the Perpetual Care Fund monies.
Saturday burials were discussed again. This was more a fact finding discussion on Jim’s part as he was curious why it was cut out and what could be done if anything to reinstate it. No action was taken after the discussion was held.
The Cemetery Rules and Regulations were discussed along with the web page. Both are in the process of being reviewed and updated so that we can be consistent.
Motion was made and seconded to adjourn at 8:21pm
Next meeting is Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 6pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
James Duggan, Clerk
| 
