Cemetery Commission June 5, 2018
Cemetery Commission
Minutes of the Meeting – June 5, 2018
The meeting of the Harwich Cemetery Commission was at 100 Oak Street, Harwich, Commissioners Cynthia Eldredge, Karen Young and Administrator Robbin Kelley were in attendance.
Meeting Called to Order at 8:06 a.m. by Cynthia Eldredge.
Approval of the Minutes
Cynthia Eldredge approved the minutes of May 1, 2018 and it was seconded by Karen Young.
Correspondence from Town Hall & Associations
1. Discussion of Pet Cemetery and when the name changed from Pet Cemetery to Pet Burial Ground. Karen Young requested the date of change and by whom. Deborah I Ecker from KP Law sent legal opinion it was emailed to Robbin Kelley by Christopher Clark on August 21, 2017 that Chapter 114 does not apply to the burial of animals or the establishment of Pet Cemeteries.
2. Email from Dan Pelletier on Mount Pleasant water line leak. Steve Hicks, water department employee surveyed and flagged water leak but believes that there may be additional leaks. Karen Young make a motion to put in work order to get the water turned back on, if it can’t be turned back on then to install a line against the fence so that we will be able to provide water to maintain family lots. It was seconded by Cynthia Eldredge. Cynthia Eldredge would also like Robbin Kelley to explore replacement of the aging water system and see if the DPW would be able to assist with the installation of a new system and if not to provide guidance.
3. Email from Eileen Gay on Conditions of the Lily Pond, overgrowth. Robbin Kelley responded to Eileen Gay that the pond was a wetland and we were working with the Conservation Agent, Amy Usowski. Amy responded to email that we will be working on cleaning up the pond area and looking at possibly dredging the pond, we will need approval from Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection as well as the local Conservation Commission. Permitting does take a bit of time, but we are in the process of working on it. Eileen Gay thanks the Cemetery Administrator and Conservation Agent for their quick response and for updating her on the process.
4. Review of public request documents sent to Anita Doucette request by Tom Birch.
5. Karen Young made a motion that at our next meet we tour Island Pond Cemetery Cynthia Eldredge seconds.
6. Discussion on Paw Palooza at Dennis Yarmouth High School Robbin Kelley will not get information booth this year the next Paw Palooza will be in 2020.
7. Phone call from Beverly Lamond on rhododendron that was damaged in the last storm and was leaning over her aunt’s gravestone and requested it be removed. Work order was created and completed by the Cemetery Department. Cemetery Administrator phone Mrs. Lamond and gave her update.
8. Request from volunteers to connect with Facebook page for gravestone cleaning. Cynthia Eldredge makes a motion the page be private for use by volunteers only and that it be named Harwich Gravestone Preservation it was seconded by Karen Young. Page was created and will be a closed group for use by the volunteers to coordinate workgroups for cleaning stones.
9. Emailed request from Lisa Rapalje for a wooden box to be placed around her fathers grave in Island Pond Cemetery after discussion and review of rules Karen Young makes a motion not to approve request and asks that a letter be sent to Lisa Rapalje and to include the Rules and Regulations.
10. Review of ArborTech quote for spraying of trees for Gypsy Moth and Winter Moth. Cynthia Eldredge makes motion to have the cemeteries sprayed as it was previously approved to reapply in the spring, it was seconded by Karen Young. Cemetery Administrator will contact ArborTech and let them know that it was approved.
11. Email from Mary O’Donnell her property abuts Pine Grove Cemetery and a large oak tree damaged her stockade fence. The tree appears to be on the lot line and is on both the Town and her property she is requesting that the cemetery department remove the tree. Cemetery Administrator put in work order and the tree and debris was removed.
12. Email from Lawrence B Jobson requesting to donate his parent’s cremation lot in Island Pond back to the Town as they were buried in a family lot in New Jersey. Letter was drafted and the Cemetery Commissioners signed and approved.
13. Cemetery Lots Sales transfer of $26,918.74 to Perpetual Care Account as directed by independent auditors from Powers and Sullivan to correct Perpetual Care Funds reports from June 30, 2010. Letter was drafted from the Commissioners to Carol Coppola Finance Director authorizing the transfer of funds. Reviewed lot sales account starting balance 42,275.21 last year expenses $30,150 plus this year’s revenue $38,960 minus expenses and lot returns balance of $94,004.93 less transfer to PC of $26,918.74 ending balance of $67,086.19.
14. Old Business Karen Young would like updated information on the Kelley Cemetery Deed, I emailed Paul Sweetser for an update to see if land survey has been completed and filed at the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds.
15. Karen Young makes a motion not to bring the naming of the Pet Burial Grounds before the Board of Selectmen until further notice, it is seconded by Cynthia Eldredge.
16. Karen Young makes recommendation that scan the Cemetery Commission packet for the monthly meetings available upon request to the Cemetery Administrator, it was seconded by Cynthia Eldredge.
17. New Deeds John & Faith Preston for 110A Pond Grove (2 Cremains) for $500.00 in Island Pond Cemetery.
18. New Deeds Diane Preston for 110B Pond Grove (2 Cremains) for $500.00 in Island Pond Cemetery.
19. Deed transfer for Kevin J & Beryl B Daley 1 grave space on Cranberry Avenue for 527RE Cross Road Extension (Grave #4) in Island Pond Cemetery.
20. New Deed for Beryl B Daley & Beverly O’Connell lot 527RE Cross Road Extension (Grave #5) in Island Pond Cemetery for $800.00.
21. Bills; Agway of Dennis plants for Butterfly/Pollinator Garden at Island Pond $533.79, mileage for Robbin Kelley January, February, March, April and May.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 A.M. Next meeting will be June 12, 2018 and will include tour of Island Pond.
Respectfully Submitted,
Robbin Kelley,
Cemetery Administrator