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Cemetery commission outlines revenue plan from Strawbridge survey, seeks title work on previously 'taken' lots
Summary
The Cemetery Commission reported an infrared survey of Strawbridge Cemetery indicating substantial sellable space (estimated $500,000 revenue), described donated water infrastructure and asked the town to authorize legal title work on several parcels previously voted as takings but never recorded.
A long briefing from the Cemetery Commission (commissioner speaking) covered multiple operational items, new revenue opportunities and several planned projects for 2019.
The commission reported a ground‑penetrating survey at Strawbridge Cemetery and said the survey supports an estimate of roughly $500,000 in potential revenue from available plots. “We have 500,000 to the town of Lakeville on expected revenue,” the commission speaker said, describing the survey and infrared testing used to verify burial spaces.
Nut graf: The commission described three linked priorities: (1) develop verified sellable space (Strawbridge, Clark Cemetery) to generate revenue; (2) repair and restore historic features (granite posts and rails, fences) and (3) finish title and recording work for 29 parcels that town meeting previously authorized to be taken by the town but that were never legally recorded.
The commission described other operational items: a donated water tank and an agreement with a local golf course to supply water at no charge for irrigation at some sites; new “no littering” signage and routine cleanups at Thompson Hill and Precinct cemeteries; and a digital cemetery records project that the town clerk now hosts to replace scattered paper files.
The commission reported it conducts “an average of 10 burials a year” and said it believes there is “sufficient burial space for the next 100 years.” It also discussed options for cremation burials or columbarium niches as lower‑cost alternatives: the commission estimated a cremation plot could be offered at $300 and discussed a proposal for up to 120 cremation plots in one parcel near LeBaron Cove course.
On property/ownership issues, the commission identified about 29 cemetery parcels that were authorized as takings at town meeting but never formally recorded. The chair asked the town to authorize counsel to perform title searches and take steps to record those takings, noting the town is currently maintaining many privately owned plots without legal title.
Ending: The commission asked to proceed with surveys, grant applications for cemetery projects and legal title work; commissioners said they will return with detailed cost estimates and grant requests to fund restoration and survey work.
