Cemetery trustees approve advisory subcommittee to plan new Stevens Field(s) Cemetery

The Cemetery Trustees voted July 9 to establish a cemetery design and construction advisory subcommittee to plan physical infrastructure and funding for newly acquired town property on South Road that the historic society recommended naming Stevens Field(s) Cemetery.

Chair led the proposal and said the trustees are responsible for developing new cemeteries and that the project is large enough to require a focused group. "I suggest that we create a subcommittee to do this," the Chair said, recommending trustee and superintendent representation, a select-board representative, land-use input and public members.

Trustees discussed immediate next steps, including asking the select board for a warrant to create an expendable trust fund and starting work in smaller annual increments to spread cost. A trustee noted that lot sales suggest the town may have "7, 8 years maybe left" of capacity if no new cemetery is built, and urged beginning funding early. Another trustee suggested hiring design professionals via an RFP and consulting the New Hampshire Cemetery Association for experience from other towns.

The trustees agreed to establish the advisory subcommittee and will finalize its charter and membership at a future meeting after the alternate trustee returns. The Chair said she will circulate a draft charter to trustees and town staff and publicize opportunities for public members to apply. Trustees recorded approval at the meeting.

Next steps listed by trustees include finalizing the subcommittee membership and charter, drafting language for a warrant article to create an expendable trust fund for cemetery construction, and seeking estimates of likely project cost so the select board and town meeting can consider funding in future fiscal cycles.