Cemetery & Parks Minutes

Cemetery & Parks Meeting

January 19, 2022

Kimball House

The meeting was opened at 6:30PM present were Ray Boyes, John Barrett,  Roger Rapoza and Pam Haman.

Guest Members of the Friends of the Bandstand

Bills were reviewed and approved.

Minutes from the December 2021 were amended to read “back end of common” minutes were approved with changes. Minutes approved with changes.

Deed(s) reviewed and signed.  John mentioned that Brian Rollo who was originally from Townsend and parents are buried in Townsend would like to purchase lots.  Roger will meet with Brian.

Discuss:

Annual Report.  The Commissioners reviewed the report.  John move to approve the and submit report to Town Hall.  All were in favor motion carried.

Fiscal Year 2023 Budget.  Roger let the Commissioners know that the budget is level funded except for wage/salary step increases.  The Port a Potty’s have been added back into the budget.  John move to approved the budget.  All were in favor motion carried.

Granite Post Flag Pole- The post are not centered around the flag pole making it difficult to maintain the inside area.  Roger would like the Commissioners to look at the area in better weather to get their thoughts on possibly removing the post.

Appointments/Guest

The Friends of the Bandstand (Jerrie Bozicas, Bill Martin, Clare Kauppi, Enio Kauppi, Chris Hayes, Don Hayes and Kim Craven) were at the meeting to present their findings/recommendations for the structure. Jerrie presented the Friends findings to the Commissioners with an over view of the history as well as the condition of the band stand from various reports over the years from Building Inspectors.  She also referred to the lead paint report as well.  She went on to say that after carefully reviewing all the information the Friends of the Bandstand felt the best option was to take down the current structure and build a new bandstand.  This would allow the bandstand to be enlarged to accommodate the band which has grown in size. The goal would be to replicate the current bandstand. The electrical fixtures would be updated and handicap accessible as well.  The style would remain the same. Currently there is a $50,000 grant available from the state for the bandstand. John was in disagreement with the idea of “new” bandstand.  He felt that the most recently engineering study indicated that the structure was sound.  The Commissioners were surprised that direction of the group has changed from restore/repair to replace. The Commissioners felt the intent was to restore/repair not rebuild a new structure. It was felt by the department that an engineer needs to be on board for the project. 

Kim Craven felt that the current structure may not be salvageable.  She agreed that there were some portions that might be saved.  Kim felt that a more in-depth walk thorough is needed to be done to actually access the condition of the benches, roof, flooring wood columns.  Electric work needs to be upgraded; stairs replaced.  Continued patch repairs not the way to go.  The back additional also needs upgrading and is not part of the original structure.  Ceiling may or may not be original. 

John felt that the bandstand should be restored/repaired, Ray agreed.  A vote would not be taken tonight.  The Commissioners did not want to diminish the hard work that the Friends had done but felt more input from an engineer is needed, Jerrie stated that the group would go back to drawing board based on the input from the meeting.

Unforeseen:

John has been approached by the Historical Society about the possibility of having a beer garden at their annual crafts fair in the fall.  A liquor liability would be needed, as well as a police office.  Roger stated that the area would need to be roped off and the beer could only be served and consumed in that particular area.  Will be added to the agenda for the next meeting.

John had also been asked if the department would co-sponsor a wilderness survival group in Howard Park. More information is needed on this.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 16 2022at noon

Meeting was adjourned at 8:05PM.

Submitted

Pam Haman

Clerk

Approved at  February 16, 2022 meeting