Trustees of Public Burial Grounds

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Sep 23 2024 8:18 am City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC BURIAL GROUNDS 115 Mt. Elam Road Fitchburg, MA 01420 Office: 978-345-9578 FAX: 978-345-9686 www.fitchburgma.gov TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC BURIAL GROUNDS BOARD MEETING MINUTES Thursday, June 20, 2024 The Trustees Board meeting was held in the West Meeting Room, 1 st Floor at City Hall, 718 Main Street. Any person who wishes to participate remotely in the Public Forum portion of the meeting may request a remote attendance link by contacting the City Clerk at: cityclerk@fitchburgma.gov by 12:00 PM (noon) on the day prior to the scheduled meeting. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Perla called the meeting to order at 9:18 am. Trustees Present: J. Perla, G. Mirijanian, A. Hawthorn. Others Present: Nick Erickson, DPW Commissioner, Jaquelyn Poirier, Cemetery Superintendent, Petros Davos, Project Manager, ANSER Advisory for Forest Hill Abbey Mausoleum project, Bernard Schultz, Ward 1 Councilor, Derrick Cruz, Ward 6 Councilor and Patricia Chabot, City Resident and past member of the “Friends of Fitchburg Historic Cemeteries Group”. Present Remotely : Trustee M. Sciabarrasi, Public Forum: No one was present, either in person or remotely, wishing to speak. #1. Updated on Forest Hill Abbey Mausoleum Project from OPM Petros Davos and Spencer Preservation Group: Petros gave an update to Trustees about the Forest Hill Abbey Mausoleum Conditions Assessment, OPM Report, dated June 17th 2024. Discussion was about the roof, which is the major issue as we already know. Based on the design presented, Phase 1 - exterior, estimated cost is 3.1 million dollars, total cost is 3.9 million dollars for the complete project for both the exterior and interior work. This document was given to the facilities manager/Chief of Staff , Alex Vera for his review. This topic was and has been discussed at length. Many questions were asked of Petros and he is still working with the Spencer Preservation Group to get us the answers to those questions. #2. Discussion on Fundraising Campaign and next steps for Forest Hill Abbey Mausoleum Project: Chair Perla has spoken to Senator John J. Cronin and Representative Michael Kushmerek and both have said basically there is no funding for this type of project. Senator Cronin is willing to write a letter of support for the Abbey Project and Rep. Kushmerek asked Chair Perla to touch base with him at the end of the year and before the start of the next budget session. Sally Cragin, Councilor at Large held a meeting at the Historical Society and 11 people who love the City of Fitchburg and its historical buildings gathered to brainstorm ideas as a group. A meeting to view the Abbey is scheduled for Monday, July 1, 2024 at 6 PM. All are welcome to attend. An invitation has been sent to the full City Council, also. Councilor Cragin has also set up an email account which is: friendsoffitchburgcemeteries@gmail.com for anyone who might be interested in joining the group or if you have questions. Councilor Cragin may also be reached at 978-320-1335. If you love Forest Hill, its landscaping, architecture, wildlife and local history, please join us. Also, Councilor Cruz suggested that the Trustees or the Friends group look into the Community Preservation Coalition as a funding source. #3. Approval of May 16, 2024 meeting minutes: Motion to approve the May meeting minutes was made by A. Hawthorne and 2 nd by G. Mirijanian. All approved. Motion passed. #4. Superintendent’s Report: Cemetery Department Report 6-20-2024 - Progress report given by Jaquelyn Poirier Forest Hill Routine maintenance of grounds Cleaned graves to comply with specifications Picked up trash in Forest Hill & Bike Path Repaired stone at Laurel Hill (1) cremated remains entombment in mausoleum INTERMENTS 1 INURNMENTS 16 UP RIGHTED MONUMENTS UNCOVERED FLAT MONUMENTS MONUMENT FOUNDATION MARKING/PHOTOS 16 CATCH BASIN REPAIR/CLEAN FILLED SINK HOLES TRIMMED TREES TRIMMED SHRUBS PHONE/OUTSIDE MEETINGS WITH FAMILIES 73 PAYMENTS - INVOICED/PROCESSED 39 FAMILY GENEALOGY 33 Cemetery Staff - 3 Full-Time Workers – (2) Summer help - 1 Superintendent LMEO/Summer help – in process Administration Routine administration tasks Cemetery Software Working on lot maps when time allows General Working with Engineering – water issues –section Q & columbaria area  Working on end of year planning Fence accident – 3/27/2024 (see photos) Memorial Day follow-up -flags missed, lot questions Updated Veterans maps Working with Solicitor on paperwork for T27 accident 5.9.2024 Meetings with Leominster Trustee – Cemetery Information Friends of Fitchburg Cemeteries (just organizing) – permission to hold an Autumn Equinox –Listening and Walking Tour on Sunday September 22nd @ 4:00 pm rain or shine Memorial Gardens: Waiting on paving-- Engineering also working on how we track available graves (maps) – CAD Mausoleum Assessment Report 6.19.2024 (available upon request) Columbaria Working on draft specifications for new 72 niche unit Monty Tech Football Team – Flag placement Troop 17 Tr Troop 41 FHS ROTC Fence Damage 3.27.2024 Fence Repair 6.10.2024  Chair Perla made a motion to approve the Listening and Walking Tour to be held on Sunday September 22, 2024 at 4:00 p.m rain or shine at the Forest Hill Cemetery for the Autumn Equinox. A motion was taken by roll call. All were in favor. The motion passed. Motion to approve the Superintendent’s Report made by Trustee A. Hawthorne and 2 nd by Trustee G.Mirijanian. All in favor. Events: The next meeting will be held on Thursday September 19, 2024 @ 9 a.m in the West Meeting Room 1 st Floor at City Hall ,718 Main Street Fitchburg, MA 01420 Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 11:15 A.M Minutes of this and all other meetings can be viewed on the City of Fitchburg website under http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us Government - Meetings and Agenda - Trustees of Public Burial Grounds Respectfully submitted, Judith A Perla Chair/Clerk Trustees of Public Burial Grounds Here is a shortcut to view all the recordings of the Trustees of Public Burial Grounds (this link does not change, it adds the latest meeting to this specific playlist (aka location): https://videoplayer.telvue.com/player/yycCAZPb0NN3zj2o5qio- YFMNC43NjCG/playlists/10799?autostart=true&sequenceNumber=1&showtabssearch=true