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Cemetery Association reports steady operations and digital mapping; president warns of leadership succession challenges
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Summary
Bob Story, president of the Cumberland Cemetery Association, told the council the association operates on about $50,000–$55,000 a year, performs roughly 20 burials annually, and has a perpetual care fund; Story urged community volunteers and highlighted a new online mapping tool.
Bob Story, representing the cemetery association, delivered an annual update to the council describing recent maintenance, mapping and financial activity.
Story said the association runs on roughly $50,000–$55,000 a year and performs about 20 burials and 20 lot sales annually. “The price the price is $600 per space and, that hasn't changed since 2014,” he said. He described the association's perpetual care fund and spending policy (a 3% withdrawal of the three‑year average to support operations) and reported the fund had seen roughly $19,000 growth early in the year.
Story highlighted a recent technology upgrade: the association purchased Panam cemetery management software (used to map plots, maintain occupant lists and identify veterans' graves) and has worked with the town's web staff to display maps and available spaces online. He said the mapping and digitization work should make it easier for residents to find burial information and for the association to manage lots.
Story also raised a succession concern: he is 79 years old and has asked whether anyone would step forward to lead the association in the future. He outlined planned maintenance work (stone repairs, pruning and loam placement) and said modest funds are budgeted for necessary repairs this year.
Next steps: Story invited volunteers to contact the association and said he will return to brief the council in subsequent years as required by the bylaws.
