Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cemetery Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board approves up to $5,000 for vernal-pool monitoring to explore green-burial site
Summary
After months of preliminary work, the board authorized vernal-pool monitoring and limited soil testing (not to exceed $5,000 from a cemetery development reserve) to evaluate part of Oakhill North as a potential green-burial site.
The Camden Select Board voted to authorize vernal-pool monitoring and limited soil testing at Oakhill North to evaluate the feasibility of a municipal green-burial area.
Staff and cemetery representatives described outreach from a green-burial group and noted the cemetery association’s interest in identifying a suitable parcel. Jeremy Martin, planning director, told the board the most time-sensitive task is vernal-pool monitoring because the brief spring window determines whether a pool meets the state’s criteria for significant wildlife habitat under the Natural Resources Protection Act.
The board debated scope: some members and the cemetery chair urged a targeted and economical approach focused on the likely dry/usable area; others favored a more complete wetland delineation to avoid later surprises. The cemetery association holds a modest reserve for cemetery development; staff recommended using those funds for the initial study.
Motion and vote: The board approved a motion to proceed with vernal-pool monitoring and related soil testing, not to exceed $5,000 from the cemetery development reserve fund, and directed planning staff to coordinate the scope and next steps with the cemetery association and the green-burial group.
What this means: The monitoring is an exploratory, pre-permitting step that preserves options. If vernal-pool work indicates the site is appropriate, staff may return with recommendations for any additional delineation, permitting steps, or changes to cemetery bylaws to allow green burials.
