NEWTON CEMETERY TRUSTEES
Newton Town Hall
2 Town Hall Road – P.O. Box 378
Newton, NH 03858
Minutes of Trustee’s May 1, 2008 Meeting
Members present: Bill Landry, Ron Saunders
Meeting called to order at 5:00 PM. at the Primary Schoolhouse – 22 S. Main St.
OLD BUSINESS:
] CEMETERY FLAGS:
One and one half gross (216) Veteran grave marker flags and a 4’ x 6’ nylon pole flag for Willow Grove cemetery were purchased from Union Flag Co. to supplement the flags remaining from 2007. (Cost $307.00)
These flags are for placement in the town cemeteries prior to Memorial Day. 109 flags were given to Mary Marshall of the Newton Historical Society for placement at the Highland, Town Hall and Farmer’s cemeteries. 98 flags were given to Roberta Deschenes for placement in the Union Cemetery. At the conclusion of the school spring break 75 flags will be delivered to the Memorial School for placement in the Willow Grove cemetery.
] CEMETERY SIGNS:
Two new white PVC 30” x 36” signs with black printing were purchased from Sign Designs of Plaistow for placement at the Highland and Willow Grove cemeteries. (Cost $ 430.00) The trustees will purchase materials to erect the signs, estimated cost $50.00, and have them in place by Memorial Day.
] WILLOW GROVE WATER PUMP:
The trustees inspected the water pump at Willow Grove and determined it was no longer operable. A new pump was purchased from Comac Pump and Well Co. of Kingston. (Cost $ 124.00)
The pump will be installed prior to Memorial Day.
] MEMORIAL DAY:
Prior to the Memorial Day activities, the trustees will ensure the cemeteries are cleaned, mowed and trimmed. The water pump at Willow Grove will be in working order. All Veteran flags will be in place and the pole flags flown at half mast.
] CEMETERY MAINTENANCE:
Letters were sent to the four (4) companies that previously bid on the cemetery maintenance work as well as one new company. The companies were:
John Caldwell – Danville Rick Harris – Kingston
Tim Hajjar – Newton David Marden – Newton
Ray LaBelle – Newton
The letter explained the dilemma the town faced in maintaining the cemeteries due to the rejection of the town proposed budget and the fact that we were working with a default budget. They were asked to re-evaluate their previous bids and determine if they could reduce their charges. It was explained that the scope and schedule of the maintenance would also change.
Four of the five parties returned bid proposals under the new guidelines. Rick Harris did not respond.
To conduct a comparative analysis, an arbitrary, minimum number for each service was set for the season. One clean up, ten mowings and 7 trimmings for each of the three cemeteries.
Based on this schedule, the estimated monies available for maintenance and the individual charges for each service submitted by the bidders, only one bidder, Tim Hajjar of Newton, remained within our budget parameters when the costs were extrapolated out.
Within the next week the maintenance contract will be offered to Mr. Hajjar. Letters will then be sent to the other bidders advising them of our decision.
When this process is completed, copies of all bids, the comparative analysis and the contract with Mr. Hajjar will be filed in the Selectmen’s office.
NEW BUSINESS:
] ROADWAY IN HIGHLAND CEMETERY:
Due to the amount of snow and rain this past winter part of the roadway at Highland Cemetery became deeply rutted and almost impassable. Town Road Agent Mike Pivero volunteered his expertise and his equipment to re-grade the roadway. He did an excellent job and the roadway is no longer an issue. The Trustees greatly appreciate Mike’s assistance.
] PAVING OF CEMETERY ROADWAYS:
A discussion was held regarding the submission of a Capital Improvements Program request to have the “U” shaped roadways at the Highland and Willow Grove Cemeteries paved.
Currently the makeup of the roadway surface is dirt, sand and gravel. During the summer months this is not usually a problem, other than one of aesthetics. However, during the winter months it makes plowing difficult. Typically the roadways are only plowed in the winter when there is a funeral scheduled.
In the spring some parts of the roads become deeply rutted and impassable. This is particularly a problem, not to mention embarrassment, when there is a funeral.
Over the years a number of residents have complained about the condition of the roads during the spring and winter months.
The Trustees will follow up with Town Administrator Nancy Wrigley about the Capital Improvement Program process.
Another option was to possibly put this project into a warrant article for the 2009 budget. This would focus the resident’s attention on the problem and place the power to correct the problem in their hands.
] MEETING ADJOURNED AT 6:00 PM
Respectfully submitted,
William G. Landry
William G. Landry
Chairman
Newton Cemetery Trustees
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