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Commission designates Belleville Cemetery an historic asset, supports $2,000 CPC grant to repair urgent tombstones
Summary
The Belleville Cemetery Association presented needs for tombstone restoration (phase‑1 request of $2,000 to fix about 45 urgent stones); the commission voted that the cemetery is a historical asset and approved a letter of support for the CPC application.
Representatives of the Belleville Cemetery Association asked the Newburyport Historical Commission on Jan. 8 to recognize the cemetery as a historic asset and to support a Community Preservation Committee (CPC) application to fund urgent tombstone repairs.
Presenters said the association took stewardship about three years ago and found that many older stones were in disrepair. They said the association manages records for roughly 5,021 burials, that the oldest stone dates to 1727, and that volunteers and limited budgets constrain maintenance. The presenters requested a small, phase‑1 grant (about $2,000) to hire a professional conservator to repair approximately 45 severely deteriorated stones.
Commissioners discussed funding approach and phased repair strategies; one commissioner suggested applying for a larger amount in a single filing but presenters recommended a two‑phase approach (immediate urgent repairs first). The commission moved that the Belleville Cemetery is a historic asset to the city and approved a letter of support for the CPC application.
Next steps: the chair will prepare and send a letter of support to the CPC; applicants plan a phased restoration approach beginning with the 45 most urgent stones if funding is awarded.
