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Board to pursue formal town stewardship of Hammond Asset Cemetery to improve records
Summary
Board members discussed initiating a state process to take formal stewardship of the Hammond Asset Cemetery after its private association became inactive; staff said the town already maintains mowing and repairs and will return with a transfer plan and required statutory steps.
The board discussed plans to formalize town stewardship of the Hammond Asset Cemetery because the private association that historically managed it has become inactive. Staff said the town already pays for mowing and repairs, handles burials as contracted services, and maintains partial records, but that an explicit transfer would improve mapping, deed records and public clarity.
Austin, who oversees cemetery maintenance, told the board the town is currently responsible for four cemeteries and pays for regular upkeep; under state practice, when a private cemetery association ceases to function the town may assume stewardship and pursue mapping and grant opportunities to document records. He said the town could pursue a state process and apply for grants to fund mapping and record preservation.
Board members asked staff to return with the specific steps required by state law and said the transfer should be done in a way that preserves existing deed rights. No vote was taken; the board asked for a formal transfer plan with an assessment of records, costs and procedural steps.
