Mont Vernon selectmen press Cemetery Trustees for written plan after abutter notices

Chairman John Quinlan said the Selectmen were taken by surprise after Cemetery Trustees sent letters to two Carriage Circle property owners notifying them the trustees planned to use a maintenance-access easement across their land.

"We have asked for information for a long time but have not received any," Quinlan said, adding that because the work affects town land "the time has come" for trustees to provide information to the Selectmen and the Planning Board before major construction.

Trustee Jay Wilson told the board the letters were intended to notify residents that trustees would start site walks and that the trustees are still at an early, draft stage. He described a multi-phased approach that begins with aerial photography and field measurements, then perimeter-road and access planning, and—only after feasibility work and regulatory review—a possible green-burial section.

"We just had our first organizational meeting this month... In May we will begin our draft meetings where we will figure out the proposal for extending the perimeter road," Wilson said, adding that the trustees plan to use light equipment such as a small backhoe for clearing and to meet abutters for a walk-through in late May or early June.

Wilson said the trustees are looking at a roughly six-acre portion of the east side for a green-burial section and that installing a culvert and completing a wetland crossing is the critical next step. He said the trustees will need approval from DES for any wetland crossing and that they must determine the financial impact before proceeding; he estimated the green-burial area might not be opened until about 2027–2028.

Selectmen raised concerns about access and potential damage to private driveways. Quinlan said he and the Road Agent inspected the site and worried that the abutters' driveway could not support heavy equipment. "Before anything serious happens construction wise, the Board needs to see a plan," Quinlan said.

Trustee Lou Springer offered to draft an informal plan for the board's review. Wilson reiterated that cemetery roads are intended as internal pathways and not year-round town roads, and said trustees do not intend permanent or semi-permanent structures on cemetery land. He also noted that Pomeroy Farm continues to use and maintain adjacent property, reducing some vegetation concerns.

The Selectmen did not vote on any cemetery expenditures. Quinlan said the board expects the trustees to submit plans to the Planning Board for evaluation before major work begins. The trustees plan to meet with abutters at the site and to continue developing draft plans over the coming months.