Minutes

Wellfleet Cemetery Commission

May 11, 2017

Meeting Agenda

Town Hall Meeting Room

Attended by Bonnie Robicheau, Nancy Vail, David Agger Guest: Joan Carstanjen,Town of  Brewster Cemetery Commissioner Approved minutes from April 27, 2017 NEW BUSINESS 

1. Joan Carstanjen met to discuss green burial area in Brewster Memorial, section C (a couple of acres).

Health Department gave approval. She shared Commonwealth burial and cremation laws: No law regarding mandatory embalming, vaults, Brewster has a 4 day deadline for green burials Required by state to have a container: wicker, cardboard, no shroud allowed, Only allow flush headstones   Steps to take to make this happen in Wellfleet: -find cemetery with land -pick out the spot we want to be used -designation - identify surveyor, get funds, decide how to lay it out (size of plots same size as other plots) -Approach Select Board, and Town Manager; have them ask Town Counsel), Health Department, Go to Town Meeting for final approval Hold educational forums in Town Possible Wellfleet site is northern most part of undeveloped Oakdale Cemetery Most push back might come from DPW who might complain about collapsing land and difficult to mow They decided to have it mowed to keep peace and continuity with other maintained areas Need  to reach out to Funereal Homes to get their support COLUMBARIUM Discussed her work with private cemetery development of columbarium Designing one for private historic cemetery (Lower Road Cemetery); they have a shortage of land Town of Harwich Cemetery (behind Catholic Church), Sandwich is talking about it) She doesn’t think Brewster needs  one at this time Cost issues: shortage of land encourages Columbaria $30-50,000 to build (35ftx30ft=1050sq.ft. 73 niches (two per niche) $1,800/niche Wellfleet plots 30x40=$6,000; 1200 sq.feet) They have a DPW  line item for mowing, supplies. Their DPW sells all of the plots. 2. Planning for May 20, 2017  Cemetery Clean –Up             Primary focus on Pleasant Hill/Oakdal Cemeteries; Bob Devaney does not want             assistance from volunteers, Thank you             Nancy called Newspapers,            Nancy called DPW request for bags and pick up at later date             Congregational and Methodist Churches informed by Bonnie             David will get water             David will follow up with AmeriCorps             Bonnie will put up banner at Fire Station             4.Nancy reported on legal and historical boundaries of cemetery re: discussion about other uses for land (affordable housing) Not a lot of land left 5. Discussed contracting with surveyor to lay out Section F and (recently cleared section D and part of section E and F Maybe clear rest of sections E and F Then have all of D, E, F surveyed and large 20x40 sections pinned Get estimates for clearing of sections, surveying; Visit sections with Wellfleet Arbor Committee to identify trees to save and rationale 6. Reviewed sale of large tract of plots in Pleasant Hill No longer ordering corner markers and installation from Cape Cod Stone. Discussed tentative procedure for ordering corner markers from John Fougere. 1.Customer pays for a plot. 2.John Fougere orders corner markers upon our request from Stonewood in Harwich. 3.He takes the markers needing engraving to Cape Cod Stone and lets Cemetery Commissioners know they are there. 4.We will then inform plot owner and they call Cape Cod Stone and place the order for the engraving with the identified letter and font. QUESTION:Customer pays Cape Cod Stone for the engraving (up front or will Cape Cod Stone send a bill?) Reviewed old business:

1. Reviewed Dwight Estey/Wellfleet Historical Society (WHS) plan for Cemetery tours. And dress rehearsal at Pleasant Hill and Oakdale we attended May 5 from 9-11am; gave input and feedback; discussed parking issues
2. Bonnie will contact Todd and Mignon regarding donation
3. Nancy will follow up with DPW and restate Commission intention not to mow Duck Creek Cemetery this summer due to concerns about Mow Crew accidental damage to headstones

Minutes reported by David Agger Meeting adjourned at 4pm

June meeting will be scheduled after May 20 Cemetery Clean Up.

June 2017 Agenda

Review cemetery clean up

Update on plans to clear and survey sections

Send thank you letter to Joan C.