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Tamworth trustees debate repairing historic cemetery vault after $33,048 regular budget and $60,000 quote for full rebuild
Summary
Cemetery trustees reported a quote to rebuild the front facade of a vault in the Chikara Cemetery could be about $60,000; trustees will seek an additional quote, consider using trustee funds or reserve money, and explore historic‑preservation grant options.
Representatives for Tamworth’s cemeteries told the select board Oct. 24 they have one quote to repair the front of a vault at the Chikara Cemetery and are seeking a second estimate before deciding how to proceed. The presented quote for a stone‑mason facelift and rebuilding the front retaining wall was described as high — roughly $60,000 — and trustees said they were reluctant to spend that amount from the regular cemetery budget without further review.
One trustee explained the vault is used now to store corner markers and is a historic element next to the road. "To spend 60,000 for beauty, we had a very hard time stomaching that idea," a trustee said while describing the quote that included rebuilding the front facade and side retaining walls.
Trustees noted the cemetery reserve/trust funds were established for repairs and new cemetery property purchases and that the group would pursue a second bid and consider alternatives, including filling and removing the vault if repair costs proved excessive. A board member suggested looking into historic‑rehabilitation grants and contacting the senator who had experience with a similar process.
The select board did not vote to fund the vault project that evening; trustees will return with additional estimates and potential grant avenues for rehabilitation if they pursue a restoration.
