MEETING MINUTES

Cemetery Board of Trustees

November 27, 2001

A regular quarterly meeting of Plymouth Cemetery Board of Trustees was held at 7:00 pm on Monday, November 26, 2001 at Plymouth City Hall, 201 S. Main St., Plymouth, Michigan 48170.

ROLL CALL:

Present:  Chairwoman Loretta Olson, Trustees Barbara Dougherty, Patricia Grzywacz, Sanford Knapp, Marian Robertson.

Also Present:  Mark Hammar

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:

It was moved by Trustee Dougherty and seconded by Trustee Robertson to approve the meeting minutes of August 27, 2001 as written.  Carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

The Cemetery Board of Trustees is in receipt of a letter from Ms. Carol Alexander Levitte, Attorney at Law, representing Mr. Harold Monet, owner of a two-grave plot at Riverside Cemetery.  Ms. Levitte requested placement on the agenda to discuss the cemetery regulations as they pertain to monument size. At this time, neither Ms. Levitte nor Mr. Monet are present to address the Board.  Chairwoman Olson moved on to the next item on the agenda under “New Business”.

Chairwoman Olson noted that the current term for Trustee Grzywacz expires on December 31, 2001 and inquired as to her desire to seek re-appointment to another three-year term.  Trustee Grzywacz stated that she has enjoyed her service on the Board of Trustees and would hope that Mayor Graham re-appoints her to a second term.  Mark Hammar noted that this matter will be addressed at the first City Commission meeting in December.

Chairwoman Olson noted the upcoming dates for the quarterly Cemetery Board of Trustees meetings for the 2002 calendar year.  She made particular note of the Tuesday, May 28, 2002 meeting that is delayed one day due to the Memorial Day holiday.  In addition, Chairwoman Olson made mention that this meeting is held at 5:00 pm at Riverside Cemetery.  All other meeting dates will be held at 7:00 pm at the Plymouth City Hall.  Motion was made by Trustee Robertson and seconded by Trustee Grzywacz to adopt the 2002 quarterly meeting scheduled as written.  Carried unanimously.

Chairwoman Olson inquired as to any other new business to be brought before the Board.  Mr. Hammar informed the Board members that DMS Supervisory Staff are giving serious consideration to allowing all types of monuments, both flush and upright, in Block M at Riverside Cemetery.  Currently, rules and regulations allow only one type of marker, a 36 inch slant marker installed directly on a foundation.  Only two plots have been sold in this section to date, and obviously these families would have to be contacted and solicited for their comments regarding this proposal.  Cemetery staff believe that more gravesites would be sold in Block M if the regulations were changed to permit a greater variety of markers.  Trustee Grzywacz stated that it would only be fair to allow the families who currently own gravesites in Block M to comment on this proposal.  After further discussion,  Trustee Dougherty made the motion to authorize the Administration to contact the families who currently own grave plots in Block M to survey their position on the proposal made by the DMS Cemetery Staff.  The motion was seconded by Trustee Knapp.  Carried unanimously.  The results of the survey will be brought before the Board at the February 25, 2002 meeting to further consider the matter.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Cemetery Board members reviewed the staff report contained within their agenda packet.  Chairwoman Olson noted that she has received several positive comments regarding the performance of the City’s mowing contractor at Riverside Cemetery.  Mark Hammar stated that it is difficult to find a landscape maintenance contractor who mows and trims the cemeteries well, yet does not damage surrounding monuments or landscape.  Trustee Knapp indicated that there is currently a monument near his plot in Block C that has been dislodged from it’s foundation.  Mr. Hammar noted that a service request will be sent to DMS for their attention.  Chairwoman Olson stated that the Board appreciates the comprehensive staff report submitted each quarter that keeps them informed as to the operation and maintenance of the cemetery.

Board members reviewed the informational packet regarding the Briggs family plot at Riverside Cemetery.  Chairwoman Olson noted that she found the ages of the various family members interesting in that it demonstrated unusual longevity, particularly during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

ADJOURNMENT:

Seeing no further business to be brought before the Board, Chairwoman Olson entertained a motion to adjourn.  Trustee Grzywacz made the motion and it was seconded by Trustee Dougherty to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 pm  Carried unanimously.

NEXT MEETING:               Monday, February 25, 2002 – 7:00 pm – Plymouth City Hall