NEWTON CEMETERY TRUSTEES
Newton Town Hall
2 Town Hall Road
Newton, NH 03858
Minutes of September 18, 2007 Meeting
Members present: Andrew Morse – Chairman; Raymond Thayer; Bill Landry - Secretary
Chairman Morse called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. at the Newton Town Hall.
Old Business:
] RIDER MOWER: At the previous Trustee meeting it was unanimously voted to purchase a new rider mower at an estimated cost of $1,600. Subsequently the Board of Selectmen (B.O.S.) directed the Trustees to upgrade the specifications of the mower to a “zero turn” mower at an estimated cost of $4,000.
A motion was made by A. Morse, and unanimously approved, to amend the previous mower specifications to meet the new specs. dictated by the B.O.S.
Whereas the current rider mower is no longer operable it is imperative that a new mower be purchased A.S.A.P. (The one (1) push mower being used will not make it through another summer)
A motion was made by R. Thayer, and unanimously approved, to bring the old mower to the transfer station for proper disposal.
] EQUIPMENT SHED FOR WILLOW GROVE CEMETERY:
At the previous Trustee meeting it was unanimously voted to purchase an equipment shed for Willow Grove at an estimated cost of $1,800. Currently there is no place to store maintenance equipment. A shed will also negate the need for workers to use their personal vehicles to transport equipment to the cemetery for mowing, weed whacking, leaf containment etc…
Every effort will be made to complete the purchase and installation of this building before year-end.
New Business:
] R. Thayer informed the board that he was involved in a discussion with members of the B.O. S. who felt that not all members of the Cemetery Trustees were always aware of all spending requests emanating from the Trustee Board.
If in fact that is the case, in the future every effort will be made to keep all members of the Board of Trustees apprised of all fiduciary activities. This could take place via meetings, meeting agendas, meeting minutes, phone, email etc…
Mr. Thayer was also asked if the trustees were paid for meeting time. The trustees are paid only for work performed at the cemeteries and reimbursed for fuel they purchase for equipment used.
(1)
] CEMETERY TRUSTEE RECORDS:
It appears that currently Trustee records are kept at various locations. All records will be brought to the Selectmen’s office for storage in the “town vault”.
] ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT:
Currently the equipment needed to maintain the cemeteries in a fashion befitting hallowed ground is woefully inadequate. This year trustee members have used their personal equipment to maintain the cemeteries. In some cases this has proved to be personally expensive to the members due costs associated with maintaining and repairing their equipment.
It was voted on and unanimously approved to purchase the following additional lawn care equipment for the cemeteries:
o Two (2) gas powered push mowers. A 20” and 22” model. (The close proximity of many grave markers prevents use of the rider mower)
o Two (2) gas powered “weed whackers”.
o Miscellaneous hand tools. IE: rakes, tree saws etc…
It is the recommendation of the trustees that all motorized equipment is purchased at M-B Tractor. Their equipment is high quality and they service what they sell.
] 2008 LABOR TO CARE FOR CEMETERIES:
Four cemeteries require continual care. They are Willow Grove (1.7 Acres), Highland (4.28 A), Town Hall (1,0 A) and Farmers. (.3 A)
Ray Thayer volunteered to continue responsibility for the upkeep of the Willow Grove site for 2008. This is acceptable to the board of trustees.
As for upkeep of the remaining three (3) cemeteries for 2008, the trustees will attempt to outsource this work to local residents, 18 years of age or older, via newspaper advertisements, the Newton Town Web Site, word of mouth etc…
These workers would be required to fill out all necessary paperwork and meet all wage & hour legal requirements. Pay scale to be determined by the B.O.S.
] BUDGETS:
(Details will be provide by Trustee Chairman under separate cover)
2007 EXPENSE ESTIMATE:
2007 BUDGET: $ 9,100.00
ESTIMATED SPENDING: $ 9,400.00
(OVER) / UNDER BUDGET: $ (300.00)
(2)
2008 OPERATING BUDGET:
*ESTIMATED SPENDING: $10,000.00
*This includes $ 1,000.00 towards the estimated $ 2,500. cost to remove a large tree at the Highland Cemetery. The remaining $ 1,500.00 to be in the 2009 operating budget.
The trustees propose writing a warrant article to appropriate these funds over the two (2) year period.
MISCELLANEOUS:
o The Trustees voted to authorize the Trustee Chairman to purchase all required equipment.
o The Trustees voted to recommend to the B.O.S. that they consider changing the route of the Memorial Day Parade back to the original route. This recommendation is a result of many comments made to various Trustees by Newton residents at the 2007 parade. Many residents felt the abbreviated length of the ceremony didn’t pay due respect to the occasion. It is also felt that the slightly extended route would be more commensurate with the cost of the parade. ($800.00 IN 2007)
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM
Next Meeting: TBD
Respectfully submitted,
William G. Landry
William G. Landry
Secretary, Cemetery Trustees
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