UNAPPROVED MINUTES

Town of Auburn
Auburn Village Cemetery Trustees
August 3, 2011

Trustees Present: Richard Vecchione and Michael Dollard 

Also Present: Geraldine Silva, Karen Norris and Bill Herman, Town Administrator.

Mr. Richard Vecchione convened the meeting at 7:20 p.m. at the Griffin Free Public Library.

Planting Removed

Geraldine Silva met with the Trustees to express her concern with the removal of a Bridal Veil bush that had been planted by her late husband at his mother’s grave nearly 40 years ago.  She indicated someone had removed the planting from the site and she had not been given any notice that it would be occurring.  The Trustees indicated they did not know or authorize the work.  Karen Norris indicated that Mr. Griffin had indicated to her husband Scott that a number of bushes, plants and trees should be removed from the cemetery. 

The Trustees indicated that Rules and Regulations for the cemetery had been adopted by a prior Board of Trustees in 2007, which prohibited in-ground plantings.  However, they acknowledged this Bridal Veil planting had clearly been in place prior to the regulation and would be allowed to continue.  Mrs. Silva indicated the roots of the plant are still in place and it may re-grow of its own accord.  If not, the Trustees were in agreement that the bush could be replaced.  Mr. Vecchione indicated he was willing to assist Mrs. Silva if she had to re-plant.

Mrs. Silva suggested the Trustees have the rules and regulations of the cemetery posted on a sign at the cemetery to ensure people knew what the rules were.  The Trustees agreed that was a good idea.

Cemetery Rules

The Trustees reviewed the “Rules and Regulations for the Auburn Village and Longmeadow Cemeteries” that had been adopted in 2007.  Mr. Vecchione provided a copy of a revised set of Rules and Regulations for the Auburn Village Cemetery that he had drafted for consideration.

Mr. Vecchione indicated he in particular was interested in eliminating the prohibition against in ground plantings and the restrictions on the size of memorials that could be placed in the cemetery.

Mr. Dollard indicated he felt the Trustees should not change the rules and regulations at this time.  With the change coming in March 2012 of one board of trustees for both the Auburn Village Cemetery and the Longmeadow Cemetery instead of the two separate boards that exists today, he felt it would not make sense to make any changes at this point.  He also felt the Trustees should talk with Donald Stritch of the Longmeadow Cemetery Trustees on any rules and regulations change, as the current rules govern both cemeteries.

The Trustees agreed there was no agreement to change the rules at this time.

The Trustees also agreed that whatever rules changes might occur, existing items in place would be grandfathered and not affected by a potential future rules change.

As the Trustees were not aware of the existence of the Rules and Regulations for the Auburn Village and Longmeadow Cemeteries until recently, they also agreed that any future purchaser of lot(s) in the Auburn Village Cemetery would be provided a copy of the rules and regulations at the time they purchased their lot(s).

Other Business

Mr. Dollard reported he had been contacted by a funeral home concerning plans for the internment for Earl Durand.  The Trustees agreed to the arrangements for the internment.

Mr. Dollard reported he had been contacted by Michael Drago concerning the potential selling back to the Town of the lot he had purchased in the Auburn Village Cemetery in 2004.  Mr. Drago had purchased a 90-square foot lot for $500.  The Trustees noted the Rules and Regulations required an individual who wanted to sell their lot(s) to sell them back to the Town for the amount they had purchased it for.  The Trustees wondered how to make this transaction happen.  Town Administrator Herman suggested the Town prepare a deed conveying the lot from Mr. Drago to the Town of Auburn.  The Town Hall can prepare a check for the refund of the $500, a portion of which would come from the Trustees of Trust Funds who were holding a portion of Mr. Drago’s original funds for perpetual care.   The Trustees agreed to this approach to handle the matter.

The Trustees reviewed the map of the cemetery with respect to various issues or concerns with some markers not in their appropriate location.

Adjourn

Mr. Dollard made a motion to adjourn; Mr. Vecchione seconded the motion; all were in favor, the motion passed unanimously, and the meeting stood adjourned at 8:05 p.m.