MEETING MINUTES
Cemetery
Board of Trustees
May
29, 2001 – 5:00 pm – Riverside Cemetery
ROLL
CALL – Members
Present: Chairwoman Olson, Trustee
Knapp, Trustee Robertson, Trustee Dougherty, Trustee Grzywacz.
Also
Present: Mark Hammar, Asst. DMS
Director
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES – It
was moved by Trustee Dougherty and seconded by Trustee Robertson to approve the
meeting minutes of February 26, 2001 as written.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
OLD
BUSINESS – Chairwoman
Olson began this portion of the meeting by voicing her displeasure with the
number of prohibited adhesive hooks still affixed to crypt and niche fronts.
She recalled that a request was made on the record at the February meeting to
remove all adhesive hooks and all other prohibited items from the Mausoleum
immediately. Trustee Dougherty
commented that this has been an ongoing issue for many years, extending back to
when Paul Sincock sat in on the meetings as the Administration liason. Trustee Grzywacz suggested to Chairwoman
Olson that she should contact Paul Sincock personally to stress the importance
of keeping the crypts, niches, and grave plots free of prohibited items such as
plastic hooks, statuary, and unapproved crosses.
The
Administration brought before the Board a recommendation to include the cost of
the new crypt/niche vases as part of the initial purchase price, adding $107.00
to the current price of a crypt or niche.
This would help to insure that a standard vase would be used for flowers
at the Mausoleum, and would discourage the use of the plastic adhesive
hooks. Trustee Knapp inquired as to
whether the purchaser could have the option of buying a vase or not, could the
family decline and have the $107 deducted from the total cost. The policy is that the $107 would not be
deducted, cemetery staff would install the vase holder on the crypt/niche front
when the name plate is installed, and the family would have the option of
either using the vase for flowers, or utilize the vase holder to hang a wreath
in the winter. Trustee Grzywacz
commented that the family might change their mind after a short period of time
and decide they wanted a vase since it is the only means of decoration
permitted on the crypt/niche fronts.
The Board agreed with this new pricing structure if it means reducing,
and hopefully eliminating the presence of plastic hooks and hangers on crypt
and niche fronts.
NEW
BUSINESS – Chairwoman
Olson stated that the walking tour of Riverside Cemetery would be held upon
adjournment of the meeting. The walking
tour began at the New Garden Court Mausoleum where Chairwoman Olson directed
the Board’s attention to the unsightly display of numerous plastic hooks,
hangers, dead wreaths and other prohibited items still attached to crypts and
niches. It was her understanding that all
of these items were to be removed during this year’s Spring Cleanup in
April. She reiterated her displeasure
with the lack of diligence on the part of DMS to remove these items promptly. Trustee Dougherty commented that the rules
cannot be enforced if these type of items are permitted to exist throughout the
cemetery.
The
Board members proceeded to Block K where, once again, mention was made of the
presence of numerous artificial flower arrangements, plastic and concrete
statuary, and unapproved crosses littering the landscape. The Administration noted that while all
prohibited items were removed during the April Spring Cleanup, many more were
placed during the past Memorial Day weekend.
The Administration added that a service request will be forwarded to DMS
to remove all prohibited items immediately.
Board members did comment on the nice addition of the brick pavers and
benches around the flag pole in Block K.
It was noted by Administration that any Memorial Bricks purchased
through the DMS office will be placed in the brick walkway.
The
Board of Trustees moved on to Block G along the eastern edge of the cemetery to
view the proliferation of landscape bricks around several grave plots.
Chairwoman Olson inquired as to any current action being taken on this matter
through the DMS office. Administration
noted that while plot owners were sent copies of the revised rules and
regulations addressing these types of decorations, no enforcement has taken
place. Trustee Grzywacz commented that while the decorative brick edging
exceeds the six inch perimeter allowed, the majority of the plots are
well-tended. Board members were in
agreement that this situation has gotten out of control and perhaps the best
course of action may be to leave it as is, so long as it does not interfere
with the maintenance of the cemetery.
STAFF
REPORT – The
Board reviewed the staff report as well as the progress report from Nancy
Polderdyke regarding the updating the cemetery records and sales information
book. Board members were very
appreciative of her efforts and skills in assembling such a comprehensive
system of record management. Trustee
Robertson stated that she was unable to locate a member of her family, Gerald
Krumm, in the Veterans section of the sales book, and that a United States flag
and veteran’s plaque were not placed on this grave in the North Addition to A
during this past Memorial Day weekend.
She was advised that this information will be added and a request for a
flag and plaque will be sent to DMS for action.
CORRESPONDENCE
– Chairwoman
Olson reiterated her pleasure with the cemetery-related articles that are a
part of the agenda packet each quarter.
The Administration noted that the article addressing the need to verify
ownership of vacant graves is a universal problem among many cemeteries. It is possible that Riverside Cemetery has
several desirable gravesites that may never be used because the family may not
be aware that they are in their possession or have been deeded to surviving
members.
ADJOURNMENT
– It was
moved by Trustee Dougherty and seconded by Trustee Grzywacz to adjourn the
meeting and proceed to the walking tour of Riverside Cemetery.
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
Respectfully
Submitted,
Mark
A. Hammar, Asst. Director
Department
of Municipal Services
