A resident raised concerns July 14 about fallen and pushed-over headstones in the older section of the Elm Street cemetery and asked permission to organize volunteers — including Boy Scouts — to right stones and perform light maintenance.
Why it matters: Selectmen said maintaining burial sites protects historic resources and community character; volunteers can assist the town but work must be coordinated with cemetery staff to protect fragile monuments.
Details: The resident said some newer stones had been pushed off their bases and some older 1800s stones are split or fragile. He proposed starting with volunteer efforts to right stones on their bases and to investigate unobtrusive lighting (including solar options) near the flagpole. He also suggested placing a camera at the back of the police station with a feed into dispatch so staff could observe the cemetery and call responders if needed.
Selectmen response: Board members expressed support for volunteers helping to set upright stones and recommended the resident contact the cemetery sexton before work begins. Selectmen noted the sexton is typically available Mondays and Thursdays but that staff would email him and suggested the volunteer gather a list of donors and provide contact information for coordination.
Distinctions and limits: Selectmen cautioned that very old, fragile stones might not be restorable and could require specialist conservation; they also did not commit town funds at the meeting for lighting or camera installation, saying cost and power availability would need to be investigated first.