HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-30-14 Cemetery Committee Meeting Minutes (1).pdfEnfield Cemetery Committee
Meeting Minutes
July 30, 2014
Present: Committee members Sue Thompson, Vera Howe-Strait, Wayne Snyder. Jessica Elliott,
Alice Linton, John Linton, Ann Rider, Tucker Snyder, Alan Teeter and Ed Thompson were also
in attendance.
Sue Thompson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Recommendation to Enfield Town Board of Additional Members to Enfield Cemetery
Committee:
Sue asked if others would like to join the Cemetery Committee. Tucker Snyder, Jessica Elliott ,
John Linton and Ed Thompson would like to join. These perspective members will be
recommended to the town board. Ann stated she will also ask Dennis Hubbell if he would like to
be a member.
Budget/Cemetery Accounts:
Currently there are 3 cemetery savings accounts. The Budd account has approximately $3,108,
the Rolfe account has approximately $8,494 and the Memorial account has approximately
$10,114. Sue could find no legal reason to keep these accounts separate. Ann had information
from a town attorney who stated in a letter dated 1993 that in his opinion there was no reason not
to combine these 3 accounts.
John suggested giving the public notice that these 3 accounts would be combined.
Ann stated maintenance costs for each cemetery are not kept separate. All expenses come from
tax payer money at this time. She will check with New York State to determine what is
appropriate use of the savings account funds.
Vera felt it made sense to combine the 3 accounts.
Vacant Spaces in Cemeteries:
Wayne feels there may be a small amount of space left in Budd Cemetery, no space in
Presbyterian Cemetery, and quite a bit of space in Christian Cemetery. Ann would like to take a
look at maps and deeds to see where the boundaries are.
Purchase of Lawn Mower:
Sue asked Wayne and Tucker if they plan to continue to maintain the cemeteries or if the town
should look into contracting out the work. They both would like to continue mowing all 4 of the
cemeteries they currently maintain. Sue mentioned that they should use gas purchased by the
town for their lawn mowers.
Ann stated it was reasonable for the town to purchase a lawn mower for town use that would be
stored in a town building. John suggested it would be best to purchase a commercial grade
mower that was not a knock-off of a popular brand. Agway sometimes has mowers traded in
from places such as Ithaca College that could be a good deal if there was no hurry in purchasing
a mower. Agway would give a 10% discount to the town.
Wayne and Tucker suggested that a 50" or 52" mower deck would work well for them.
Ann stated 3 quotes would need to be obtained for this purchase. She will meet Tucker at Agway
Monday afternoon to get started on the process. The lowest bid does not have to be chosen.
Wayne Snyder moved, with a second by Sue Thompson, to request the town purchase a lawn
mower for town use with a price range of between $4,000 and $6,000. Motion passed
unanimously.
Fixing Stones:
Sue would like to do some further research on possible funding for stone repairs. She believes
grants are available.
Other Business:
Ann asked about other cemeteries in Enfield. There is a small cemetery on the Teeter farm
between Gray Road and State Route 327, a small cemetery on the Juber property on Rumsey Hill
Road, and a cemetery on Woodard Road by Robert H. Treman State Park.
Ann would like the Cemetery Committee to discuss, at a future meeting, raising the sale price of
cemetery lots. The price is now $350, but many cemeteries are selling lots for $750. She would
also like the cemetery policy in the handbook to be reworked and have it available as a handout.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 7:55 with plans to meet again when there is further business to be
discussed.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Linton