Town of Chichester NH
Cemetery Trustees’ meeting
June 3, 2024
The Cemetery Trustees, Ruth Hammen, Fred Shaw, and Brenda Boswak met at 9:00 a.m. at the Historical Society building.
OLD BUSINESS
On May 21, 2024, the Board of Selectmen held a public hearing during a regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen to receive public testimony on; ‘the acceptance of a donation to the Cemetery Trustees from Martha Dodge Wilkerson in the amount of $25,000’, pursuant to RSA 31:95-bIII (a). There was no discussion from the public. The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously in favor of accepting this donation. All the Cemetery Trustees attended the Selectmen’s meeting. Fred has deposited Martha’s check in the ‘Trustees of the Trust ‘account. He will complete the final version of the wording of the trust fund to reflect Martha’s intention for this donation. H
odgkins Painting & Maintenance has completed spring cleanup and has begun mowing the cemeteries.
Riel Fence Co. repaired the damaged areas of the Leavitt Cemetery chain link fence.
American flags were placed on all the veterans’ gravesites in the cemeteries prior to Memorial Day. Thank you to the Bob Shaw family, Donna Chagnon, Madeline Kilmister, Bette Bogdon and Richard Hollaran for volunteering to help. Ruthie purchased and planted geraniums in Leavitt Cemetery to fulfill the stipulation of several individual Cemetery Trust Funds.
May 28, 2024, Fred met with Joseph Beachy, ‘Extol Tree Care Service ‘at the ‘Burying Yard’ to discuss the details of how the tree removal equipment will gain access to the dead Ash trees for removal. The conclusion was that the equipment will enter through the small driveway abutting the cemetery, on the west side, proceed to the town (Shaw) field area on the north side of the cemetery, remove underbrush as necessary to place the equipment as close as possible to the dead Ash trees and set up the crane etc. to remove the trees. Joseph will provide an estimate for the additional ‘Crane Access work’.
Don Cotnoir, NH Monuments has begun restoration on seven gravestones at the Perkins-Maxfield Cemetery.
NEW BUSINESS
Brenda will call' Riel Fence Co.' in Barnstead about removing the rolled back portion of the chain link fence at Leavitt Cemetery to make it safe and improve the appearance.
Brenda encountered unsupervised, uncollared, dogs entering the Pineground Cemetery as she was working there. We located an address for the owner of the property abutting the north side of the cemetery and Brenda will send a letter to the owners notifying them of this incident.
Alice Hilliard inquired of Brenda about the available burial space available in Pineground Cemetery near the Hilliard family lots. After studying the plot map, we agreed upon a lot to offer her. Brenda will follow up with Alice.
Lane Hodgkin notified us that the hinge on the gate of Batchelder Cemetery is broken. Brenda will inspect and take photos.
Justine Hayward and Gloria Beachy were approved by the Board of Selectmen as Alternate Cemetery Trustees.
Marion Jones has offered to help clean gravestones, once again. Brenda will coordinate a date to work with her. T
he meeting was adjourned 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Boswak, Cemetery Trustee, Secretary