Princeton Cemetery Commission
Meeting – Monday, June 15, 2015
Town Hall Annex
Minutes
June 28, 2015
Present: Lynne Grettum, Paul Constantino, Ron Milenski, Andy Brown plus Len and Carole Haug and four members of the Cleveland Family.
Meeting Commenced at 7:10 pm in the Town Hall Annex
May Meeting Minutes
The minutes of the May Meeting were approved as written.
Len and Carol Haug Statement & Concerns
The Haugs contacted Princeton Cemetery Commission member, Ron Milenski, who is the Haugs neighbor regarding the poor condition of the turf and landscape at the Woodlawn Cemetery. Ron Milenski invited the Haugs to this meeting to allow them the opportunity to express their opinion. The Haugs own three lots at Woodlawn Cemetery and their Aunt Lottie Samek is buried in the 1986 section.
Mr. Haug read a prepared statement regarding his opinion of the poor turf quality and landscape conditioning of the 1986 section of Woodlawn Cemetery. The Haug’s statement is included with these minutes. Briefly stated, the Haug’s determined that the 1986 section of Woodlawn has been neglected and this lack of maintenance has finally resulted in the poor condition of the turf quality and landscape. The 1986 section is not consistent with the beauty and peaceful nature of the main section of Woodlawn Cemetery and they request that lawn and landscape improvements become a priority; seeking funds from the town to correct this problem.
Member, Ron Milenski stated that the 1986 lawn section of Woodlawn most likely has not received fertilizer or lime since it was installed. He acknowledged that this area is in poor condition. Additionally, this section is comprised of high percentage of sand and has a low fraction of organic matter so fertility is vital to sustaining grass in this area. Water holding capacity is difficult in sand topsoil so again a higher percentage of organic matter needs to be established to improve both water and nutrient retention. A soil sample has been taken from 1986 lawn section and results will be determined per the UMass Soil testing laboratory.
Milenski recommended that Superintendent, Brown contact Tanner Cole, the owner of Gatsby Grounds in Lancaster. Gatsby Grounds is the contractor who developed and performs the fertilizer and control products applications for the Princeton Parks and Recreation athletic fields. Milenski has worked with Gatsby Grounds while he was a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee and was impressed and satisfied with his performance. Gatsby Grounds also has experience using compost and organic fertilizers on soils and lawn sites that are neglected and nutritionally deprived soils.
Gatsby Grounds can perform a free site inspection, develop a soil remediation plan and provide an estimate for the work. Superintendent, Brown mentioned that his budget may not have sufficient funds for this work and that the Cemetery Commission may need to seek additional funding from the board of selectmen. Superintendent, Brown agreed to contact Gatsby Grounds.
The Cleveland Family Issues & Proposed Individualized Maintenance Agreement
The Cleveland Family agreed with the Haugs, that the turf conditions are poor and need to be improved. Additionally, the Cleveland’s presented a written “Private Maintenance Agreement” plan. The sample “Private Maintenance Agreement” is included with these minutes. Briefly stated the “Private Maintenance Agreement” would create a written agreement between the Princeton Cemetery Commission, Cemetery Superintendent and the owners of the cemetery plot. This “Private Maintenance Agreement” would allow the owners of the cemetery plot to upgrade the maintenance of their individual plot within guidelines developed by the Princeton Cemetery Commission and the Cemetery Superintendent. Each “Agreement” would be reviewed annually and approved.
The commission members stated that they are in the process of reviewing and editing the “Cemetery Rules and Regulations” and will require approximately 2 months to complete the review and updates. At that time the Cleveland Family will be advised of the updates to “Cemetery Rules and Regulations” and how it may pertain to their proposed “Private Maintenance Agreement”.
The Cleveland’s mentioned that they were considering installing additional headstones. This would provide them with the opportunity within the “Cemetery Rules and Regulations” to plant additional flowers and beautify the family plots. The commission recommended that the Cleveland’s wait on this decision until they review and edit of the “Cemetery Rules and Regulations”.
Cemetery Superintendent’s Report
As of June 8, 2015 – Burials: 2 Full Body, 1 Scheduled for June 16, 2015
6 Cremation
Lot Sales: 3 Full Body
(Plus 5 for Twitchell/Littlefield at Woodlawn)
2 Cremation Plots at North Cemetery
Estimated lots for sale: Woodlawn – 54 Full Body, 20 Cremation
North – 29 Cremation
South – 50 to 100
West – 20
Parker II - 5
Superintendent Brown stated that Robert Goodnow, who does not live in Princeton but has family that does live in town, requests the purchase a cemetery lot. Commission approval is required to complete the process and sale.
Ron Milenski motioned that the lot sale be approved to Robert Goodnow.
Paul Constantino seconded the motion.
The motion was approved unanimously. 3 – 0.
Superintendent, Brown mentioned that the new commercial lawn mower was purchased and is in service. The mower is working great and he and his team are very satisfied with its performance.
Superintendent, Brown recommended that Jamie Deloge be promoted to Working Foreman. Chris Foley and Jamie make up the cemetery work force. Jamie works 40 hours per week and Chris works approximately 20 hours per week. Chris’s work hours may be reduced pending the amount of work that is required during the summer season. Jamie has scheduled and supervised all the cemetery work since Bruce Rollins quit. Bruce was working as a supervising foreman; performing no manual labor. Superintendent, Brown is extremely satisfied with Jamie Deloge’s work efforts and recommends that a she receive an hourly rate increase along with the promotion to Working Foreman.
Town protocol requires that the select board approve promotions and pay rate increases.
For future reference all town employed positions must be posted to the public including seasonal positions.
Ron Milenski motioned that Jamie Deloge be promoted to Working Foreman pending approval from the selectman.
Paul Constantino seconded the motion.
Motion pasted 3 – 0 unanimously.
Superintendent, Brown reported:
That Cemetery Data Base is now installed on his work computer.
A new hand pump has been installed at Woodlawn Cemetery and it is functional.
The vault at Meeting House Cemetery has been inspected and is in safe condition. The holes will be secured in the vault.
Five stones have been repaired and thirty stones have been re - leveled.
The installation of three flag poles is scheduled to be accomplished this summer. These flag poles will be installed at North, West and Parker II cemeteries.
Two lots/plots (#101 & #150) at Woodlawn Cemetery may qualify as abandoned lots/plots. Superintendent, Brown will run a notice for two days in the “Worcester Telegram” regarding these lots/plots. This provides a legal opportunity for the owners of these lots/plots to claim ownership before the cemetery commission reclaims them.
Superintendent, Brown recommended that the cost of any newspaper notices related to the reclaiming of these lots/plots be included in the sale cost of these lots/plots. He would also like to include the cost of the ground radar scan (verifies that the lot/plot is unoccupied) in the sale price. Member Gerttum expressed her opinion regarding the sale price of lots/plots; mentioning that Princeton’s Cemetery lot price is in line with the cost of our neighboring towns. Additional discussion followed and all members decided to shelf the issue until Chairman, Trostel was in attendance at our next scheduled meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 20, 2015 at 7:00 pm.
There will be an inspection/walk thru of Parker II Cemetery starting at 6:30 pm.
Meeting adjourned at 9:07 pm.
Minutes Taken by Ron Milenski, Member
Pccminutes061515
| 
