Selectboard accepts Brownsville Cemetery assets into permanent restricted fund

The West Windsor Selectboard on June 8 unanimously approved a binding Record of Decision committing any liquid assets transferred by the Brownsville Cemetery Association (BCA) to a Town-managed Permanent Restricted Fund that, together with earnings, "will be used solely for the continued and perpetual operation and maintenance of the Brownsville Cemetery by the Town of West Windsor." Shannon Harrington, speaking on behalf of the BCA, asked the board to accept the transfer and noted the association believes its assets are sufficient to fund care in perpetuity without taxpayer support.

Selectboard members debated the transition timeline and current cemetery care, including existing landscaping and sexton services; Shannon said the BCA currently employs two people for those services. Mark Higgins read the proposed resolution aloud before John Brodie moved to approve it and Mark Harley seconded. The motion passed with the board recorded as "all in favor." The board did not specify an implementation timeline for employment changes related to cemetery operations; the Selectboard said it would address staffing and operational details in follow-up meetings.