Cemetery district approves maintenance, looks to the future
Boothbay Region Cemetery District trustees on Aug. 27 approved several maintenance motions for cemetery upkeep.
This included two for Bahama Breeze Landscaping; one for treatment of spruce trees for witches broom at Oceanview Cemetery, which totaled $50 per treatment, and a $475 payment for bush hogging and other maintenance at Evergreen Cemetery.
They approved Alex Vise to fix the fascia board, molding work, and to paint for under $300 at Oceanview. Trustees also bought a $600 sprinkler system for Evergreen.
In other business, the board discussed adding a section to its bylaws that would disallow “spending for recognition of trustees.” There was debate whether this should be a rule or codified in the bylaws.
“We shouldn't be spending taxpayer money to pat ourselves on the back,” said trustee Sara Fahnley.
As previously reported in the Register, the district commissioned a plaque to honor late trustees John “Jolly” Arsenault and Stanley “Swing” Lewis, who both served on the board for decades. The idea was first proposed by former president Kim Pinkham and was funded by a partial donation on behalf of Arsenault and district funds.
The issue was tabled until there was a full board, as Treasurer Patty Minerich was not present.
Trustee Howard Friant also reported his findings around the installation of columbariums (public storage for cremated remains) at Evergreen, in light of the district's expansion of the cemetery and the rising popularity of cremation over casket burials. A columbarium would allow for more burials in the space, and be cheaper for customers.
Maine law (Title 13, 1341) requires that a cemetery be at least five acres to host a columbarium. Trustees estimate Evergreen is only about two acres.
However, the board didn’t rule it out for the future.
Trustees also discussed moving or raising the height of the sign at Evergreen to prevent damage from tall vehicles. President Bernard "Skip" MacPhee suggested that, for insurance purposes, the district may want to include a height limit sign.
