HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-05 Board of Cemetery Trustees Minutesr
Town of Reading
Meeting Minutes
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Board - Committee - Commission - Council:
Board of Cemetery Trustees
Date: 2023-06-05 Time: 6:OOPM
Building: Location: Berger Rm
Address:
Purpose: General Business
Attendees: Members - Present:
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Virginia Blodgett, William Brown, Ron Stortz, Caitlin Salmon, Carl McFadden
Members - Not Present: Sally Hilgendorff, Brian Boyle
Others Present: Michael Hannaford, Supervisor; Michael O'Halloran,
Administrative Specialist
Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Caitlin Salmon
Topics of Discussion:
Town of Reading
Board of Cemetery Trustees
Monday, June 5, 2023
Pursuant to a meeting legally posted, the meeting of June 5, 2023 convened at 6:00 P.M. in the
Berger Room at Reading Town Hall.
Present: Virginia Blodgett, Chairman
Ron Storz, Vice Chairman
Caitlin Salmon, Secretary
Carl McFadden
William Brown
Absent: Sally Hilgendorff
Brian Boyle
Also Present: Michael Hannaford, Supervisor; Michael O'Halloran, Administration
Review of Past Meetine Minutes
Called to order at 6:00 by Virginia Blodgett.
The minutes of January 17, 2023 were reviewed and approved as amended by a vote of 5-0, on a
motion by Bill and seconded by Carl.
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Meeting Minutes
Discussion
Request for Waiver on Monument Regulations
Barrett Family Request
• Wouldn't be an issue for the Cemetery Department in regards to land
maintenance.
• However, the guidelines say the stone needs to be a 3 X 3 and if exceptions are
made then a precedent is set for more to request different size stones.
A motion to grant the request was made by Bill and seconded by Carl. The Board denied the
motion by a vote of 5-0
Historic Headstones
Rob Surabian just had surgery; however, is currently finishing up the restoration of the stones he
has. The majority are finished, just 6 more to finish this week.
Mike Hannaford has requested an invoice for the work completed.
Jane has been putting into budget so that we can continue to work with Rob.
Marking of Veterans Graves at Laurel HBI
In the old cemetery — discussion was made to mark any Revolutionary and anyone
who fought in the Colonial War for Memorial Day.
Hope to have new markers made special for the Colonial Wars for next year's
Memorial Day. Could get both a Colonial War marker and a veteran marker if
served in both.
Ginny hopes to continue to do more research to make sure lists are correct. Once
more research is done, it will come back to the Board.
"Revolution 250" is coming ug) 2025 - 2026
• How can the cemetery get involved — is there anything that can be created to
highlight the soldiers buried at Laurel Hill from the Revolutionary War?
• Flags for British
General Business
Trees have been planted - up to 43 currently. Most at Laurel Hill, but are being spread across all
cemeteries as needed.
Request to get funding to purchase trees as needed from the Perpetual Care fund.
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A motion made by Carl to allow $9,000 to be taken from the Perpetual Care fund for 2023 fiscal
year and $11,000 for 2024 fiscal year. Motion was seconded by Ron and voted for approval 5-0
by board.
Is it possible to make the town aware of the trees being planted and how the stones are looking
after being restored?
Next Meeting — Monday, August 7, 2023.
Adiourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM. By Carl Seconded by Caitlin.
Respectfully submitted,
Caitlin Salmon, Secretary
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