Notes from the Cemetery Commission (CC), February 22, Hybrid meeting

Present:

• Karen Marshall Chair
• Roxanne McCaffrey
• Patrick White
• Terri Iemolini
• Michael Canales
• Candice Curry via Zoom

1. Minutes approved as written
2. Pat Flinn will be new representative from Laurel Hill Association
3. Canales did not yet meet with Mark Faber, Tree Warden, about tree work in cemetery
4. There are unexpended funds granted by Community Preservation Committee (CPC) in a prior year ($27,773)
5. Chair requested a bylaw change to add a member to CC
   1. White was opposed because CC already has the most members of any commission (9). An additional seat would make an even number and would place the quorum at six. He suggested more flexibility within the current seats, for example, 3 members are Town employees (Town Clerk, Facilities Manager and Highway Dept Superintendent). One could step off and that seat would become another At Large seat. The Town Employee can attend the meetings at Canales' request ("Town employees work for Michael and if Michael tells them to be there, they will be there").
   2. Iemolini thought it was a good idea
   3. White asked Chair why she wanted to add a seat
   4. Chair would like to add Peter Williams to the CC
   5. White said currently there is no Facilities Manager so Williams could temporarily take that seat — maximize the present number of seats
   6. Williams said he would attend every meeting anyway
6. Chair moved on — motion to accept the consultant's report — passed
7. Repairing John Sergeant's tomb. Currently the headstone is on the ground.
   1. Apply to CPC next year for the funds.
   2. Meanwhile add cleanup ($7400 est.) to current allocation ($300,000 from cemetery Fund) and/or use part of $27,773 CPC prior allocation
   3. Canales recommended CC vote to incorporate cleanup into current scope of work. So moved and passed.
8. Chair moved to Cemetery Fees
   1. Chair wished to double the fees from $250 to $500
   2. White agreed if there was a clause to reduce fees if there was a financial need
   3. Determined not to sell plots as is done in other towns but to remain a Town owned and operated Cemetery
9. Policy for using cemetery for programs
   1. White was opposed to regulating library which has given tours of cemetery (predominately the historic section) for many years
   2. Others felt it should be same policy for all
   3. Agreed to set hours of operation when folks are welcome in cemetery.
   4. Moved cemetery will be open dawn to dusk. Passed

Meeting adjourned

Editor's note: John Sergeant was the first missionary in Stockbridge "the mission town", 1734 until his death in 1749.

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