HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-05-07 Board of Cemetery Trustees MinutesTown of Reading
Board of Cemetery Trustees
Tuesday, May 7, 1996
Pursuant to a meeting legally posted the meeting of May 7, 1996, 1996 convened at 7:30 P.M. in
the Berger Room, Reading Town Hall Annex, Reading, MA.
Present: John M. Silvaggi, Chairman
Joyce Miller, Vice Chairman
Mary Vincent, Secretary
Daniel F. Driscoll
Randolph Harrison
Robert Keating, Superintendent of Cemeteries was also in attendance. Also Ronald O'Connell, a
candidate for the Board of Cemetery Trustees
Review of Past Meeting Minutes
The minutes were amended to read - under New Business: "The Cemetery Department has a new
dump truck and a sweeper included in the Capital Budget Plan". On a motion by Daniel Driscoll,
seconded by Randolph Harrison, it was unanimously voted to accept the minutes as amended.
Wood End
14 Bid packages went out for the stone wall consturction. The three lowest bids were discussed
by the Board. Superintendent Keating and BSC have dealt with Schumacher Landscaping Inc.
(the low bid) and have been satisfied with their work. After discussion, the Board voted
unanimously to accept the Schumacher bid for a fieldstone wall with a bluestone cap.
Superintendent Keating reported that the drainage phase of Wood End is proceeding with the
installation of dry wells and catch basins. The roadway has been staked with the help of the
Highway Department.
Memorial Day Preparations
Superintendent Keating stated that Memorial Day clean-up is on-going at all cemeteries. The
problems of drought last summer and lack of sun this Spring have made it difficult to have the
cemeteries looking as attractive as they usually do at this time of year. Superintendent Keating
noted that the lack of water due to the Reading water ban, has been very hard on the grass. He
gave the Board a very interesting and informative report on the different factors that fo into
making the grass lush and green and how difficult this is given the water ban and soil conditions
that we have.
Receipts
Receipts are up about $6,000 - but Sale of Lots is down. Last year cremations were up to
26 112% of total burials.
New Business
A discussion of inputting more cemetery information into the computer base was discussed.
Next Meeting
The next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, June 4 at 7:30 P.M.
The Meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
CE t
Mary R. Vince Secretary