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Town cemetery expansion planning

Site evaluation and capacity planning to identify and acquire land for a new municipal cemetery.

3 meetings from Tue, May 5 to Tue, Sep 15 · Select Board, Advisory Committee

Where it stands as of Tue, Sep 15

Town cemetery expansion planning is currently in the site evaluation phase to address projected municipal cemetery capacity shortages by 2035 or 2036. The Cemetery Expansion Committee is finalizing an evaluation matrix to screen 58 candidate parcels of five or more acres, though town boards have not yet weighed in on specific sites. The committee is expected to present its final site recommendations before June.

Votes

DateBoardMotionResultVideo
Select Board Reduce the Cemetery Expansion Committee charge from five to three members Town cemetery expansion planning Passed5-0 2:08:37
Select Board Appoint Bob Bazukas, Kyle Picubellas, and Mike Chef to the Cemetery Expansion Committee for terms expiring June 30, 2027. Town cemetery expansion planning Passedunanimous 1:33

Every time it came up newest first

  1. · Select Board and Advisory Committee

    Cemetery Expansion Committee membership charge reduction

    The Select Board updated the charge of the ad hoc Cemetery Expansion Committee to reduce its membership from five to three members to help achieve consistent meeting quorums.

    • Membership reduced from 5 to 3 members.
    • Change is effective immediately.

    Outcome: Approved unanimously, 5-0.

    Watch at 2:07:50 · See the whole meeting

  2. · Select Board

    Cemetery Expansion Committee progress report

    The Cemetery Expansion Committee presented an update on future cemetery capacity, reporting that the Rural Cemetery is sold out and Middle Road Cemetery has 458 plots remaining. At an average rate of 50 plots sold per year, Middle Road is projected to reach capacity around 2035 or 2036. The committee reviewed 58 potential town and private parcels of 5 acres or more and is finalizing an evaluation matrix to screen candidate properties.

    • 458 plots remain at Middle Road Cemetery
    • Current sales trend projects full capacity by 2035 to 2036
    • Existing columbarium has only 25 to 30 of 192 niches occupied
    • Committee is vetting 58 candidate parcels of five or more acres

    Outcome: Informational update; the committee expects to present final site recommendations before June.

    Watch at 1:58:45 · See the whole meeting

  3. · Select Board

    Routine business

    The board handled routine committee appointments and approved consent agenda items. Three volunteers were appointed to the Cemetery Expansion Committee, and outstanding meeting minutes were approved with minor corrections.

    • Appointed Bob Bazukas, Kyle Picubellas, and Mike Chef to the Cemetery Expansion Committee through June 30, 2027.
    • Approved consent agenda items including meeting minutes, with a correction noted for the spelling of a former member name.

    Outcome: Approved unanimous.

    Watch at 0:13 · See the whole meeting