Meeting held in the Annex Conference Room at 7878 Williston Road, Williston VT. 

MEMBERS PRESENT:      Jack Price, Hazel Winter, and Drew Nelson 

ABSENT:                          Cameron Clark

OTHERS PRESENT:         Assistant Town Manager Erin Dickinson and Bea Harvey (former Commissioner)

The meeting was called to order at 2:33 p.m.

There were no public comments. However, the Commission briefly discussed that this season was another challenging one in terms of contracted services keeping up with the cemetery lawn maintenance.

The draft minutes from the August 15, 2024, meeting were presented. Hazel Winter made a motion to approve the minutes, which was seconded by Drew Nelson. The Commission unanimously approved the minutes as presented.

There was no budget update for this meeting.

Nelson reported that from August 15, 2024, to the present, there has been 1 interment, 3 pending interments, and 1 new lot sale with the possibility of 2 additional lots being sold this afternoon.

Price shared that a potential lot buyer mentioned her willingness to stain the gazebo in Deer View. However, the Commission noted that such offers must be submitted as formal proposals and require review by both the Commission and the Town.

The Commission discussed landscape improvements of Memorial Garden which is being made possible by a private gift. Price provided background on the agreement to move forward with the project. He also reported that Public Works had removed a fallen Hawthorn tree from the garden.

The Commission reviewed the status of a monument cleaning project in East Cemetery. Services have been contracted for cleaning designated sections of granite monuments, with the project expected to be completed in early October.

Winter raised concerns about the deteriorating Winslow obelisk in Section 1 of East Cemetery. Price explained that the monument is made of Isle La Motte marble, and the only way to fully preserve it would be to bring it indoors. However, he stated that it would be ideal if the inscribed information on the monument could be preserved, as it dates to the Civil War era. Winter offered to research the information.

The Commission unanimously voted to postpone the next phase of the East Cemetery monument cleaning project until next year.

Erin Dickinson reported that the vacant Commissioner seat has been advertised. Given that the current season is nearing its end, she plans to promote the volunteer opportunity in early 2025 if it remains unfilled.

The Commission’s next meeting will be held October 17, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at the Annex Conference Room at the Town Annex Building, 7878 Williston Road, Williston, VT.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:31 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Hazel Winter, Secretary