Salt Point Cemetery asks Pleasant Valley for mowing help as operating funds run low

Representatives of Salt Point Cemetery told the Pleasant Valley Town Board on July 6 that the cemetery is operating at a deficit and will exhaust operating funds within roughly two to three years without additional revenue or assistance.

Peter Lamm, secretary‑treasurer of Salt Point Cemetery, said the cemetery took in approximately $4,000 in income last year and incurred about $8,000 in expenses, and that maintenance (mowing, weed whacking and tree work) accounts for the majority of costs. He noted a permanent maintenance fund with a $30,000 principal that generates roughly $900–$1,000 in interest annually but whose principal cannot be spent.

"Last year we took in approximately $4,000 in income and had expenses of approximately $8,000 for a $4,000 loss," Lamm said, urging the town to consider assistance allowed under state law to help nonprofit cemeteries with maintenance.

Board members suggested short‑term measures, including asking highway or grounds staff for limited mowing assistance, collecting more precise estimates of time and cost from the cemetery’s contractor, and considering a budget allocation during the 2027 budget process if needed. One council member proposed the cemetery provide labor‑and‑frequency estimates so the town can evaluate how to provide a low‑cost service rather than assume full responsibility.

The cemetery representative said the organization would continue to pursue donations but warned that absent significant gifts or a large increase in burials it would likely exhaust operating funds within a few years. The town agreed to follow up with the cemetery and to consider budgeting assistance as part of the upcoming budget cycle.

The board did not commit to a specific funding amount at the meeting; members asked the cemetery to submit details on mowing frequency and contractor time so staff can evaluate potential support.