To replace or not to replace? And if so, how? Those questions are on the minds of Boothbay Region Cemetery District trustees. 

As reported in the Register, the board has been debating whether Evergreen Cemetery’s metal archway that was destroyed last October should be replaced, or a nondescript sign should take its place.  

During a March 25 meeting, resident Robert Malizia offered his services to research other options. Malizia suggested maintaining an entrance feel by having a brick column with a built-in plaque or columns with a connecting sign, such as the one at Boothbay Fire Department; solar lights could also be added.  

“(The) town has got a lot of style and class to it, the way they treat the cemeteries, and I've always been impressed by the work that the staff do. But what I'd like is not just to have a simple placard,” he explained.  

The trustees were open to further discussion. President Skip MacPhee said hewants to avoid over-the-road signage due to liability and future damage concerns. 

In other business, the board reminded residents to have any decorations and artificial flowers removed from plots by March 31 for spring cleanup.  

The topic of a possible columbarium at Evergreen was briefly revisited. The board thinks the best location would be on the shallow end of the cemetery, where only cremated remains can be buried. As structures tend to resettle, trustees stressed the importance of a strong base and ensuring that the whole columbarium was on ledge, so one side wouldn’t dip with time.