Historical Society seeks accounting of roughly $80,000 cemetery fund; board appoints town historian

Henry Bowers, representing the Scotland Historical Society, told the Board of Selectmen the society is exploring ways to help maintain local cemeteries and urged the board to establish guidelines and a maintenance plan. Bowers said a cemetery fund holds roughly $80,000 and requested a detailed accounting of how the fund grew; Treasurer David Zito explained the town's accounting practice for plot sales and how proceeds are allocated.

Also during the public comment period, Gary Greenberg asked the board to correct an error he made while in office related to the Lasell property sold at a tax sale. Greenberg said he previously had been negotiating with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) for a potential transfer but that negotiations were dropped; the board discussed the need for clearer procedures on tax-sale negotiations and possible policy guidance going forward.

The Board later approved the appointment of Kevin Ring Sr. as town historian. Selectman Bart Laws moved the appointment, which was seconded by Selectman Michael Gurnack and carried by the board. No formal action on cemetery maintenance policy or specific disbursements from the cemetery fund was taken at the meeting; Bowers said he will follow up on obtaining the requested accounting from the treasurer.