Trustees ask select board for $3,095 to mark Birkman Poor Farm cemetery; begin survey, deed steps

Trustees of the Town of Brentwood—s cemetery program voted July 10 to ask the select board for up to $3,095 to purchase a bronze plaque and recessed installation to mark the Birkman Poor Farm cemetery.

The plaque quote discussed at the meeting showed a plaque cost of $1,995 and a recessed installation cost of $1,100 (a surface installation was quoted at $300); trustees approved a motion to request select‑board funding up to $3,095 so staff can proceed with the vendor proof and ordering. Trustee Skip Hansen made the motion and Jillian seconded; the board recorded unanimous "aye" votes.

Trustees also discussed next steps to permanently record the cemetery's location on town maps and deeds. Joyce, the cemetery superintendent, reported Cartographics can use GPS coordinates and sketches sent by trustees and that the New Hampshire Land Surveyors Association may provide survey help at a reduced rate or pro bono because of the site's historical importance. Joyce said she provided GPS coordinates and a sketch to Cartographics and had spoken to the state land surveyor association.

The group discussed two options to preserve the location: (1) have a surveyor place four corner markers and have the landowner gift the parcel to the town so the town holds title; or (2) have a survey with four corner markers and record an amendment on the current owner's deed noting the cemetery and legal description so the cemetery is recognized in perpetuity while the land remains titled to the present owner. In the meeting trustees cited the statute referenced in discussion as "RSA 4 72 colon 4" as governing the mutual acceptance of boundary lines; trustees said they would consult legal counsel to confirm the precise statutory steps.

Chair and trustees said the goal is to have durable, recorded boundary points so future owners and town staff can locate the cemetery without ambiguity. The trust identified the current landowners as George and Linda; trustees plan to bring the landowner into the process to agree on survey points or the preferred recording mechanism.

Trustees agreed to wait until cooler weather for an on‑site work day and to coordinate a separate dedication and plaque installation timeline once the select board funding decision is known.

What happened at the meeting - Vote: motion by Skip Hansen, seconded by Jillian, to request select board approval for up to $3,095 for a bronze plaque with recessed installation — passed, unanimous "aye." (See actions.) - Next steps: finalize proof with monument vendor, present the request to the select board, arrange surveyor access and landowner agreement, and schedule fall field work and plaque installation.