Trustees of Public Burial Grounds

City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts 115 Mt. Elam Road Fitchburg, MA 01420 Office: 978-345-9578 FAX: 978-345-9686 www.fitchburgma.gov CEMETERY TRUSTEE BOARD MEETING MINUTES Thursday, March 15, 2018 Call to Order: Chair Judith Perla called the March 15, 2018 meeting to order at 9:03 a.m. Trustee Members Present: Judith Perla, Diane R. Ouellette, Andrew J. Hawthorne, Andrienne G. Clark Trustee Members Absent: Nancy Maynard Others Present: Jaquelyn R. Poirier – Cemetery Superintendent, Gary Withington – Superintendent of Streets, Ray Dunetz - Ray Dunetz Landscape Architecture Approval of Meeting Minutes: A motion was made by, Andrienne Clark and seconded by Andrew Hawthorne, to accept the minutes from the board meeting on February 15, 2018. 4 in favor, 0 opposed - Motion passed. Public Forum: There was no one present wishing to speak. General Discussion of Cemeteries: Staff Reports - Cemetery Department Report 3/15/2018- Progress report given by Jaquelyn Poirier Forest Hill - Cleaned mausoleum - Cleaned office trailer - Picked up downed limbs - Cleared brush Section Q - Cleaned up new pit across Electric Avenue - Helped with cleaning DPW, and water department - Rubbish removal in cemetery and along bike path - Plowed & Shoveled - Cleaned graves to keep in specification - Equipment maintenance - Checked off site cemeteries - (7) Funerals since last meeting Laurel Hill - Closed for season - Cleaned up downed limbs South Street/West Street & Dean Hill & Hartwell - Cleaned up downed limbs Cemetery Staff - 1 full-time worker - Light Duty - 1 LMEO – 2 days a week - Help from DPW as needed - 1 Superintendent Administration - Applied for Veterans markers in Washington - Met with families at need and pre-need for burials; consult with grieving families - Sales - graves, veterans’ foundations, veterans’ flag holder, brick, cremated remains table rental, columbarium - Genealogical searches - Attended DPW managers meetings - Coggshall schedule - Attended Customer Service presentation from MIIA - Attended harassment training from MIIA - Attended OSD training - Meeting with Mayor - First three trees that were dead and a safety issue were taken down - New pick-up truck for department delivered, processed paperwork - Gathered data on current cemetery prices in area - Meeting with St. Joseph’s ground foreman Old Business: Chair Judith Perla welcomed new Trustee Andrienne Clark to the board. Cemetery Rules & Regulations - Trustees discussed changing the rules for all cemeteries, banning food and picnicking on cemetery grounds, vs. posting signs just at Laurel Hill, where this has been an issue. Andrew Hawthorne made a motion to post signs in Laurel Hill that read “No Drugs, Alcohol, Food or picnicking allowed”. Andrienne Clark seconded the motion. 4 in favor, 0 opposed - Motion passed. Rosa H. Brown Fund - Judith Perla and Diane Ouellette have continued to research information on this fund. More specific documentation on Mrs. Brown’s intentions for this money is needed. Memorial Day Plans - Judith Perla attended the Fitchburg Veterans Council Meeting held on March 14th to present Memorial Day flag placement plans and put out the call for volunteers. She will continue reaching out to various groups. Andrienne Clark is working on a press release that will ask for volunteers and promote the Adopt-A-Veteran program. Page 2 of 3 Flower Program - The Everprescence flower program has been discontinued, and Jaquelyn Poirier will explore options with other vendors. New Fencing on Mt. Elam Road - A portion of the fencing was damaged by snow being pushed into it during plowing. The damage will be repaired when the snow has melted. Phase II Forest Hill Master Plan - Ray Dunetz presented the final Master Plan and Phasing Plan to the board. (Plan available upon request). Trustees will review and vote on the plan at the next meeting. New Business: Cemetery Trustees Distribution List - Diane Ouellette will update Cemetery Trustees Distribution List for 2018. Price List for Public Burial Grounds - Judith Perla presented options for price increases for all cemetery services. Andrew Hawthorn made a motion to approve a 6% increase on all prices. Andrienne Clark seconded the motion. Jaqueline Poirier would like to make changes and additions to the price list before the board considers a final price change. The motion was withdrawn. This will be discussed further at the next meeting. Meeting Schedule 2018: April 19, 2018 May 17, 2018 June 21, 2018 September 20, 2018 October 18, 2018 November 15, 2018 Events: The next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. at the Cemetery Office. Adjournment: A motion was made at by Andrienne Clark, and seconded by Andrew Hawthorne, to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed, 4 in favor, 0 opposed. The meeting adjourned at 11:43 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane R. Ouellette Clerk, Trustees of Public Burial Grounds Distribution: Cemetery Trustees A.J. Tourigny, Mayor’s Chief of Staff Jaquelyn R. Poirier, Cemetery Superintendent Anna M. Farrell, City Clerk Lenny Laakso, Commissioner of Public Works Amy Green, Ward 1 Councilor Gary Withington, Superintendent of Streets Tricia Chabot Honorable Mayor Stephen L. DiNatale Peggy Page Page 3 of 3