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Francestown Cemetery Board hears trust-fund briefing, records maintenance and mapping steps
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting the Francestown Cemetery Board heard a trustee explain how cemetery trust funds work and recorded routine maintenance actions: a $250 purchase for headstone cleaning charged to last year’s budget, plans to evaluate trees, updated lot mapping and scheduling of follow-ups.
At its Jan. 13, 2026 meeting, the Francestown Cemetery Board heard a presentation from Henry Kunhardt, a trustee of the town’s Trust Funds, about how the trust accounts that support the town’s cemeteries are held and accessed. The board also recorded several administrative and maintenance steps, including charging a $250 headstone-cleaning purchase to the previous fiscal year’s budget.
Kunhardt explained the structure and use of the trust funds to board members, giving them a clearer sense of what money is available and how the funds may be used and accessed. The minutes state that the presentation was “very informative,” and board members left with a better understanding of options for cemetery maintenance and preservation.
Board member Jan Hicks reported purchasing 5 gallons of D2 to use for cleaning headstones; the minutes record the cost at $250 and note the expenditure will be charged to last year’s budget. The board did not record a formal vote on the expenditure in these minutes.
Catharine Roehrig updated the board on her Foote family genealogy work tied to cemetery #3. Using the History of Francestown (1758–1891) and family trees on Ancestry, Roehrig said she identified all but three of the family members buried in that cemetery and has prepared an updated map showing saleable lots. Roehrig will give the map to sexton Dan Keaveny.
On tree safety and maintenance, Marilyn Vencel suggested the board contact the University of New Hampshire for evaluations. The minutes note that Mike Gagnon, a forestry field specialist, conducted a free evaluation on Vencel’s property in December; the board decided trees in all three cemeteries should be evaluated and that Jan Hicks will contact Gagnon to arrange assessments.
Hicks said she is collecting information for the town report, including burial records and lot-sales data. The board scheduled a meeting for Jan. 27 to discuss rule revisions and set its next monthly meeting for Feb. 17. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
The minutes do not record formal motions or votes on these items; they reflect routine administrative and informational business and next steps for the board.
