HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-02-08 ad Hoc Cemetery Site Committee MinutesAd Hoc Cemetery Site Committee
Meeting Minutes: February 8, 1992
Present: Virginia Adams, Ed Fuller, Bryan Hodgkins, Joyce Miller, Mary Vincent,
Ruth Stanieich, and guest Jon Ewing
1. Our committee report should first go to the Cemetery Trustees before the
April Town Meeting date.
2. Review of open meeting with Cemetery Board of Trustees for interested
abutters in the Batchelder Field area was discussed per write up in
C ron'cle that the present horse corral could be used for up to fifteen
years: in actuality it is only for a period of two years.
3. Batchelder Field History:
The town acquired the land for a possible school site. Land was returned
to the town by the School Department. In 1950, the Recreational
Department demonstrated interest in developing it for recreational use
and asked for money to accomplish this. This however, did not become a
reality. In the fall of 1992, Town Meeting members proposed to find a
way to back portion; 100 feet of wetland blocks this access.. It has been
suggested that an equestrian walkway be placed on the left side. where it
joins conservation land.
4. Committee proceeded to review every plot mentioned in the Land Bank
Committee letter. It has been suggested that the minimum size cemetery
be changed from 5, to a size of 10 acres,
a. Explored a burial site in another town
b. Discussed Meadow Brook C.C. area
c. Discussed Kurchian Woods t this is controlled by Federal. Mass..
and Town of Reading funding and might be difficult to turn
over to Cemetery Committee,
d. Bare Meadow: question of portion of land belonging to
conservation,
e. Nike Site: very wet area,
f. Charles Lawn: cannot be expanded because of wetlands,
g. Mausoleums: need minimum of 20 acres and no wetlands.
h. Spence farms: privately owned under chapter blagricultural
use.
i. Longwood Farms: question to whether or not town should
purchase this site or is it proposed for private development?
j. Birch Meadow: splotchy wet area offering minimal new
development,
k. Bear Hill: concerns about ledge, recent borings yielded less
ledge in topography.
1. Austin Prep.: 43 acres, can town purchase excess land in
future?
m. Several small cemeteries: concern of costly upkeep +
development,
n. Parker Junior High: 166 acres (10 school, backland wet).
o. Sturges area
p. Camp Curtis Guild: owned by State, remain aware that it the
State ever abandons use of land it may be possible to purchase a
portion of it.
Respectfully Submitted.
Ruth Stanieich, Chair-person