Francestown trustees approve using cemetery trust to remove dead trees, flag need for monument repairs

Francestown Cemetery Trustees voted June 9 to obtain funds from the General Cemetery Maintenance Trust to pay an estimated $3,800 to remove three dead trees at the Old Meeting House Cemetery. The motion was made by Jan Hicks and seconded by Catharine Roehrig; the trustees recorded the motion as carried.

At the meeting, Henry Kuhnhart, identified as Trustee of the Trust Funds, said the money for tree removal "could be expended from the General Cemetery Maintenance Trust with the approval of the Trustees of the Trust Funds," making clear the transfer requires that separate trustees' approval. Trustees also discussed budgeting changes to cover future tree removal and maintenance rather than relying on one-off trust draws.

Trustees addressed recent monument damage: the Burns Obelisk was knocked down by a tree limb, and Kaufolds (Peterborough Marble & Granite) provided a $500 repair estimate. Members noted four monuments had toppled this year and asked Kaufolds to provide estimates for the most pressing repairs; trustees said they would approach FIHS for possible funding assistance.

With the town's cemetery budget at $1,550 for the year, Ellien Laramee-Byers proposed fundraising projects to support repairs and upkeep. Trustees discussed recording in-kind donations — Jan Hicks said she paid for painting supplies personally and may ask the selectmen to record such donations — and surveying other towns' cemetery budgets for comparison.

The trustees reported ongoing volunteer maintenance: two of three gates at the Turnpike Cemetery were sanded and painted, with two more gates scheduled for painting on June 29 weather permitting. Meghan Hardwick will contact Agway about free seed for the Turnpike's north side; trustees said they will consider ground cover options and additional lime application in the fall to improve appearance. A monument-cleaning demonstration led by Laramee-Byers is scheduled for July 14 at the Turnpike, with the Balch monument selected for cleaning.

Other items discussed included corner markers being placed by Kaufolds (two parties reported), a request from Meghan Hardwick to explore crushed stone beneath markers to prevent sinking, a note that some Turnpike plots do not match the map (remapping not required now), and review of green burial rules at a future meeting. Jan Hicks will circulate shed designs for trustee review as the group considers a smaller shed and the fate of an existing "dog house" used for trash and public storage. Marilyn Vencel will serve as secretary.

Trustees adjourned at 11:00 a.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for July 14 at 8:30 a.m.