Commission members debate cemetery funding, maintenance and Memorial Day flags

The Greenville Sanitary Commission met Feb. 3 to review cemetery finances, maintenance practices and preparations for Memorial Day, with commissioners emphasizing limits on perpetual-care funds and a need for a walking inventory of plots.

A committee member moved "to call a meeting of the Greenville Sanitary Commission to order," and another seconded; the group proceeded to discuss personnel and budget matters. The clerk reported the commission’s CD balance as "$19,084.46" as of Feb. 3, 2025, and said approximately $7,700 of that amount is held as perpetual care and cannot be spent for other uses.

The meeting included nominations for who will serve as chair: one member nominated "William," and another nominated themself; the commission did not finalize an appointment and agreed to follow up. Members discussed relying on the town clerk to process plot sales and paperwork until vacant positions are formally filled.

Commissioners clarified the Sexton role. The clerk said the Sexton is an appointed, one-year position (appointed by the select board on the commission’s recommendation) and that Sexton services are paid by families of the deceased, with a current going rate reported as $150.

Maintenance drew sustained attention. "It's really disrespectful of the stones themselves that they just get completely piled up with grass," said a committee member, who urged care when mowing around ground-level markers. Participants said they have raised the issue with the mowing crew but that problems persist.

Members also discussed cemetery infrastructure: an old iron fence needing repair, past grant-funded tree work in the South Hollow area, and that trees or landscaping generally fall outside perpetual-care restrictions and would need separate funding.

On operations and timing, speakers confirmed the CD matures on July 26, 2025. The group agreed to organize a walking inventory and cemetery tour to set priorities; several members said they would try to complete initial investigation around May, when availability improves.

With Memorial Day approaching, commissioners noted flags for veterans’ graves must be in place by May 23. One member said they had been buying flags personally and asked for reimbursement from commission accounts. The clerk described the reimbursement process: contact Nancy, the town treasurer, who can withdraw funds from the CD and write checks upon presentation of invoices.

Next steps recorded in the meeting included trying to secure a third commissioner, conducting a walking inventory of plots to set repair and maintenance priorities, reaching out to a contact (Jim) about historical/parish records, and arranging flag purchases so flags are available before the May deadline. Members also noted the commission’s public site still lists a pickup location at the Grange and agreed to update that information.

The meeting moved forward with these action items; no formal vote on policy changes or budget reallocations was recorded at the session.