Cemetery Commission Minutes, 10.19.2023

GUILFORD CEMETERY COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday 19 October 2023 9:30 am Billings Cemetery

Cemetery Commissioners Present:
Eric Morse, Kyle Parker, Verandah Porche, Carol Schnabel

Absent:
Nancy Detra

Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m.

Approval of Minutes:
The September minutes were approved as submitted.

New Business:
Billings Cemetery:  
We did some minor up-keep, the cemetery is in good order and we remarked on the wonderful condition of the retaining walls.  We discussed where to put the sign.

Green Burial Information:
We discussed what Atamaniuk Funeral Home had to say about green burials.  They will assist people who are planning on one.  We also reviewed information from the Vermont Forest Cemetery in Roxbury.  Green burials can vary from burial in a standard cemetery plot to burials in areas intended for re-wilding.  

We talked about learning more about cleaning gravestones, perhaps inviting Halifax cemetery commissioners to instruct us on what they have learned.  

Old Business:
We discussed sign installation.  

We looked at photos of cemeteries with chains that are connected to stone posts. 

We reviewed a recent visit to Carpenter Cemetery.  The town took care of the tree that needed to be removed and Rory did a great job cleaning up afterwards.  

We hope to spend the winter months getting more of our procedures spelled out for future commissioners.  We also intend to work on identifying veterans’ graves.  

Actions to be taken:
Carol will send everyone info about cleaning graves.  
Carol will check on chain installation at BAJC cemetery.
Eric will ask about the cemetery in Maine that he visited.  
Kyle will install a sign at Billings.

Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 11 a.m.

NEXT MEETING:    16 NOVEMBER 2023  9:30 AM BLANCHARD CEMETERY