Board approves Phase 3 of Greenlawn Cemetery headstone restoration at $50,000

The Franklin Board of Public Works and Safety on June 16 accepted quotes and authorized work to proceed on phase 3 of a multi-year headstone restoration project at Greenlawn Cemetery.

Chip Warner, parks department superintendent, told the board the phase covers installation of 150 new headstone foundations and the resetting of about 20 stones that remain on serviceable bases. Warner noted many graves in the sections targeted for repair date to the 1840s and lack surviving relatives to perform upkeep: "...you'll find there are several out there like that. That's what most of these phases are the most of these repairs are are done."

Warner said the city solicited three quotes and that the contractor who completed earlier phases — identified in the solicitation as the lowest responsive bidder — submitted the phase 3 quote. He told the board the phase 3 price is $50,000 and that that amount is currently available in the cemetery budget. Board members discussed the program's focus on graves without caretakers and veterans' plots.

Warner and others also said during earlier phases the city purchased equipment that allows staff to remove and re-set larger stones without hiring a crane, reducing future contractor dependence. Warner described paying attention to surrounding graves when work is done and said the program intends to continue annual phases while pricing remains reasonable.

A motion to accept the quotes and proceed with phase 3 was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board directed staff to move forward with contracting consistent with the accepted quote and budget appropriation.

Ending: The board's approval authorizes execution of phase 3 work at Greenlawn Cemetery; staff will proceed with contracting and scheduling work under the cemetery budget.