Association notes urn garden capacity, marks noncompliant memorial and proposes columbarium; also agrees on signage, dispensers and safety work

At the Aug. 3 on-site inspection of Laurel Hill Cemetery, trustees recorded that the Urn Garden may have roughly 12 two-urn plots available and noted a flat marker on plot No. 23 that exceeds regulation size and encroaches on a neighboring family’s plot; the minutes say the First Selectman will work with the Aley family to rectify the marker issue.

Trustee Cheri Ferrari suggested constructing a columbarium to increase space for cremains interments. The minutes do not specify funding, a design, or a timeline for a columbarium; the suggestion was recorded as a proposal for further consideration.

The minutes also documented observed tire tracks showing boats being launched into the creek in violation of posted cemetery regulations; trustees agreed a sign should be installed between the Urn Garden and the paupers' graves to deter launches. The group selected locations for two dog-waste bag dispensers (top of the stairs and main entrance) and Trustee Lorraine Connelly volunteered to monitor and refill them.

For safety and access, trustees discussed adding handrails to concrete steps, trimming or removing overgrown bushes and removing a dead oak at the top of the steps; Treasurer Glenn Seaburg volunteered to cut back a fallen tree on the Chester Creek side that intrudes into the cemetery. The minutes record these items as agreed maintenance tasks or volunteer commitments and do not record formal votes or assigned contractors.

Next steps: the First Selectman will engage with the Aley family on the marker; trustees proposed the columbarium for future consideration; signage, dispensers and tree/vegetation work were recorded with named volunteers and follow-up to occur at future meetings. The minutes do not list budgets, contractors, or dates for completing the listed maintenance items.