Thomaston cemetery trustees enact Breen Amendment, reject Everspot database proposal and approve $4,748 in windows

The Thomaston Board of Cemetery Trustees met April 24, 2025, and took three formal actions: it voted to enact the Breen Amendment, rejected a vendor proposal to convert the cemetery database to a proprietary format, and approved $4,748 to replace windows on the cemetery maintenance building.

The meeting opened at 4:00 p.m. with Sandy Moore, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ron Gamage, Pete Lammert, Sue Christensen and Peggy McCrea present and Rod Grindell absent. A motion to enact the Breen Amendment was recorded with Ron Gamage listed as mover and Pete Lammert as seconder; the vote was recorded as 6-0 in favor.

Trustees reviewed a ZOOM presentation from Everspot, a provider that offered to expand the town’s cemetery database at no immediate cost. Several members objected to Everspot’s plan to reformat the town’s existing records into the vendor’s proprietary format, saying that if the town later chose to withdraw it could lose years of built-up data. The trustees voted on a motion to decline the Everspot proposal; the minutes record the motion as moved by Ron Gamage and seconded by Sue Christensen, with a final tally recorded as 3 yes, 1 no and 2 abstentions.

The board also discussed storage and use of the white maintenance building, noting many flags kept there for the July 4th committee and a planned May 22 walk-through to reorganize the space. Trustees voted to accept a quote of $4,748.00 from Tim Wilson to replace windows at the maintenance building. The minutes list Ryan Fitzpatrick and Sue Christensen as mover and seconder for the window motion, with the vote recorded as 5 yes, 1 no and one abstention.

On operational items, Sue Christensen reported that wiring to the trustees’ office will begin the following week; a loaned computer with the required Access membership will be kept in the name of the lender (Greg) to avoid charges to the trustees. Sue agreed to serve as primary data-entry person for cemetery records, with Peggy McCrea as backup; Dean will distribute keys when they are available.

The sexton reported four funerals during the month and said paperwork remains incomplete for five burials. The assistant sexton indicated readiness to resume powerwashing monuments when the weather and water access permit; trustees asked about running a waterline to Sunrise, and Pete Lammert said he would discuss piping with Brendan in Public Works.

New business included scheduling the Laying of Wreaths at General Henry Knox’s gravesite on July 26 and a suggestion to plan fundraisers and work parties to support cemetery maintenance projects. Peggy McCrea requested that dates of deaths be included in the trustees’ annual report; Sandy Moore said she will check with the town clerk.

The board approved the minutes of March 27, 2025 (motion recorded Sue/Ryan 6-0) and adjourned at 4:55 p.m. The trustees set a walk-through and their next meeting for May 22 at the maintenance building.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Enact the Breen Amendment. Mover: Ron Gamage; Second: Pete Lammert. Tally: 6 yes, 0 no. Outcome: approved. Details of the Breen Amendment were not specified in the minutes.

- Motion: Decline Everspot database proposal (Everspot would reformat records into proprietary format). Mover: Ron Gamage; Second: Sue Christensen. Tally: 3 yes, 1 no, 2 abstain. Outcome: motion carried to decline. Note: members cited risk of losing the town’s current database if the vendor-format were adopted and the town later withdrew.

- Motion: Accept Tim Wilson quote for window replacement ($4,748.00) for the maintenance building. Mover: Ryan Fitzpatrick; Second: Sue Christensen. Tally: 5 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain. Outcome: approved.

What’s next

- Walk-through and reorganization of the maintenance building scheduled for the trustees’ May 22 meeting; trustees will solicit help from the July 4th committee to clean and reorganize stored flags and materials.

- Office wiring and computer setup to proceed next week; Sue Christensen named primary data-entry person and Peggy McCrea as back-up.

- Trustees noted the Laying of Wreaths at General Henry Knox’s gravesite on July 26 and discussed fundraising to support cemetery maintenance.