MEETING MINUTES
Cemetery Board of Trustees
May
28, 2002
A regular quarterly meeting of the Plymouth Cemetery Board
of Trustees was held at 5:00 pm at the Riverside Mausoleum.
ROLL
CALL:
Present: Chairwoman Loretta Olson, Trustees Barbara
Dougherty, Patricia Grzywacz.
Excused: Trustee Marian Robertson
Also Present: Mark Hammar, Steve Faiman
APPROVAL
OF MEETING MINUTES:
It
was moved by Trustee Dougherty and seconded by Trustee Grzywacz to approve
the meeting minutes for February 25, 2002 as written.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NEW
BUSINESS:
Mr.
Mike Reynolds, owner of a crypt at Riverside Mausoleum, addressed the Board
regarding enforcing the rules for crypt and niche front decorations
uniformly. He stated that he has abided
by the rules as they pertain to the size of wreath, and has not used plastic
adhesive hooks, unlike other crypt owners.
He also requested that the current set of cemetery rules and regulations
be reviewed and condensed; he believes the current rule that permits silk
flowers on all crypt/niche fronts but not on grave sites after May 15th
is confusing to the public and that the cemetery staff may not understand the
difference between silk flowers and artificial flowers. Mr. Reynolds suggested that perhaps the
Cemetery Board and the City of Plymouth should look at having Riverside
Cemetery managed by a private company, but still have the city perform the
maintenance. The Board thanked Mr.
Reynolds for his comments and concerns and advised him that they would take a
look at reviewing the current rules and regulations for the purpose of
simplifying and clarifying.
Ms.
Mary Fitzpatrick addressed the board regarding the removal of a small,
personalized decorative stone from her husbands’ gravesite in Block K. She stated that she did check the area
adjacent to the cemetery maintenance garage, but could not find her stone
there. She believes that this stone
should be permitted, and is very upset that someone would take her stone. Ms. Fitzpatrick stated that she did not
blame the cemetery staff for the removal, but she would consider taking this
matter to the media. The Board
suggested that Ms. Fitzpatrick may want to look at securing the stone to the
headstone with an epoxy, provided it is not placed in the path of the mower,
where it could be struck or damaged.
Ms. Fitzpatrick thanked the Board for their time and attention, and
stated that she would look at replacing the stone and consider the suggestion
by the Board to secure the new stone with an epoxy adhesive solution.
Ms.
Bascom appeared briefly before the Board to state that she is happy with the
appearance and care of the cemetery, and has no complaints or concerns at this
time.
Ms. Tobias appeared before the Board to voice her
dissatisfaction with the removal of her urn from the family gravesite in Block
K with no explanation. Apparently, the
cemetery staff was erroneously informed
that cement urns are prohibited in Block K. The Board and the Administration
apologized for this error, and informed Ms. Tobias that if the cement urn meets
all the requirements of the rules and is maintained regularly, the urn would be
permitted in Block K. Ms. Tobias also
requested that she be notified in advance should there be a problem with any of
her decorations.
The
Cemetery Board of Trustees reviewed the letter from Ms. Florence McDonald
requesting the planting of a dwarf spruce tree on her grave plots in Blocks
B and F. The Board agreed with the
recommendation by the Administration to deny her request for the tree planting
due to maintenance concerns. It was
moved by Trustee Grzywacz and seconded by Trustee Dougherty to deny the request
of Ms. Florence McDonald to plant dwarf spruce trees on her gravesites.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairwoman Olson inquired as to the status of the
appointment of a trustee to complete the term of former Trustee Sanford Knapp,
who resigned due to health problems.
She was informed that the City Commission is currently seeking applicants
for this vacancy, and the Mayor will appoint someone as soon as all
applications are reviewed and considered.
Trustee
Grzywacz inquired as to the status of the DMS using court workers to help
maintain and perform cleanup projects at both Riverside and Pearl St.
cemeteries. Steve Faiman, DMS Foreman,
indicated that the department has been using these workers regularly this year
to empty trash and cleanup along the fence lines at both cemeteries. In addition, the department has dispatched
the brush chipper to Pearl St. to cut back overgrown trees and shrubs.
Hearing
no other business to come before the Board at this time, Chairwoman Olson
called for a motion to adjourn. It
was moved by Trustee Dougherty and seconded by Trustee Grzywacz to adjourn
the meeting.
MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Board of Trustees proceeded to tour the grounds of Riverside
Cemetery to review the current state of the cemetery with City Staff.
NEXT MEETING: Monday, August
26, 2002 – 7:00 pm at Plymouth City Hall
