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Select board reviews cemetery committee fundraising limits, advises nonprofit option
Summary
Board members reviewed legal guidance that towns may accept donations only for town-meeting-approved purposes and discussed encouraging a nonprofit 'friends' group for broader fundraising; members noted the cemetery committee currently holds nearly $9,000 and a separate $40,000 donation was mentioned for one cemetery.
The Westport Island Select Board discussed limits on cemetery-committee fundraising at its April 21 meeting after committee members asked how they could raise money for cemetery work.
April, speaking for staff, said the Maine Municipal Association and the town lawyer advised that while towns can accept donations, funds must be spent for purposes approved at town meeting. She said it would not be appropriate for a town committee to conduct assertive fundraising such as marketing or sales; that role is more suited to a nonprofit. "Donations are totally fine as long as it's for a purpose that was already approved by town meeting," April said.
Board members described the practical situation: the cemetery committee reportedly holds nearly $9,000 in its account, and the record also references a separate $40,000 donation earmarked for a single cemetery and a reported $6,000 set aside for Tarbox Cemetery. Members noted the town has roughly 71–72 cemeteries, many on private land and not all accessible for routine maintenance. Multiple speakers emphasized that much of the work is time-consuming volunteer labor rather than costly projects.
Several board members said the appropriate channel for broader fundraising would be to form or work with a nonprofit "friends" group (a 501(c)(3)) that could accept memberships and hold events to raise funds for expanded projects. The town could continue to accept restricted donations for purposes already authorized by town meeting.
Board members agreed to continue coordination between the committees and to seek ways to support volunteer maintenance while respecting the legal limits on municipal fundraising.
