Monson Cemetery Commission
Thursday, November 5, 2009
The monthly meeting of the Cemetery Commission opened at 6:10pm in the office at 32 Wilbraham Road. Commissioners present were: Jim Duggan; Shawn Connery, absent due to illness was Al Wilcox. Also present was Paul Lovell, Superintendent.
Minutes of the October 1, 2009 and the October 22, 2009 meeting were read and approved as presented.
Regular meeting was closed for the purpose of going into Executive Session for the purpose of discussion to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property, with the Commission to return to regular meeting after as stated by the Chair Shawn Connery. Vote taken: Jim Duggan – yes; Shawn Connery – yes.
Regular meeting reopened at 6:25pm by Chair Shawn Connery.
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussion focused around the Selectmen’s meeting that occurred and the additional cuts made to our department. At the Selectmen’s meeting we agreed to a cut of $6,000.00. This along with the “freeze” on our accounts of: $2,500 from salaries, primarily our seasonal help and another $2,000 from our expense account (a freeze which basically means a cut) totals $10,500 from our current fiscal budget. This naturally restricts what we can and cannot do for the cemeteries and the families who have families buried in them.
Our project on replacing the office door to a new one was discussed. We were replacing the door because the door was rotting out and was not at all weather resistant. But because of the budget cuts, we asked Paul to contact Brian to see if we could put this project on hold to a much later date. He said he would contact Brian and hopefully it will work out.
We have discussed our fees and possibly increasing them for next year to generate more money. We will be conducting a survey of towns that are local and ones that resemble Monson and see what others are charging. This will be continued into next year.
A letter will be created for the Commissioner to sign thanking Art North for the work he did on the truck and for saving our department valuable funds in the process.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:05pm
Next meeting is Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 6pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
James Duggan, Clerk
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