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Wilcox Cemetery Committee approves estimate to remove rotten tree, reviews restoration and payments
Summary
The Wilcox Cemetery Committee voted to seek an estimate (up to $5,600) to remove a rotten tree in the cemetery's ancient section and discussed recent monument repairs, an outstanding invoice of $7,700 to the contractor, and planned masonry and gate work.
The Wilcox Cemetery Committee voted to seek an estimate for—and appropriate up to—$5,600 to remove a rotten tree in the cemetery's ancient section so it will not cause further damage.
Committee Chair (speaker identified in the transcript as the meeting lead) asked members to "entertain a motion to appropriate up to $5,600 to remove the tree at the ancient part of Wilcox Cemetery;" the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The committee directed staff to obtain the estimate for tree removal.
The chair reviewed recent monument restoration work completed by contractor Will Grenell. "Will Grenell and his team did an amazing job with those stones. They are artisans at their very best," the chair said, describing recovery and resetting of roughly 40 headstones in the ancient section. The chair also reported the committee has provided a down payment and "we owe him $7,700," and said staff will complete the remaining paperwork for that invoice.
A committee member reported a family bequest of $15,000 has funded multiple projects in recent years and that the town's part‑time grant writer, Jim Mahoney, has secured annual grants (usually about $7,500) that support maintenance and clearing projects.
Members also discussed an upcoming masonry contract: the chair said contractor TAD Masonary (TAD) will rebuild a small gate and related cobblestone work at Christian Lane for about $10,000. The committee noted other follow‑up restoration sites—Dunham and a Spruce Brook plot—will be scheduled when funds and contractor availability permit.
On operations, the chair reported newly hired grass‑cutting contractors are now meeting expectations after a slow start. Members agreed to prepare a brief (5–10 minute) presentation with photos of restoration work for the committee's post‑election meeting planned for Aug. 20 at 6 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at about 6:15 p.m. After adjournment, a committee member asked about cleaning headstones using Simple Green and a soft scrub brush; the chair acknowledged the product and approach.
