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Residents report logging damage at Atkin Cemetery; Select Board orders site inspection
Summary
A resident, Charlie, described extensive logging damage around Atkin Cemetery and asked the board to use town highway equipment to clear debris before volunteers remove branches. The board voted to have town representatives inspect the site and recommend whether to proceed with in‑house crews or an RFP for contractors.
Charlie, who submitted a letter about Atkin Cemetery, described significant tree and log debris on town property around graves and said the surrounding property had been logged. He told the board: "The property around the cemetery has been logged" and said he had photographed damage and was concerned about safety and gravestone harm.
Charlie urged that heavy equipment and chainsaw work be done by insured operators or town highway staff and that volunteers be limited to non‑hazardous removal once large pieces are cut into manageable sizes. The chair and other members directed highway foreman Jeremy and a town representative to inspect the site and assess whether in‑house crews could handle the cleanup or whether the town should issue an RFP for a contractor. A motion to have Rob and Jeremy check the site and recommend an approach (in‑house or RFP and/or volunteers) carried on a voice vote.
Board members discussed estimating how long the work would take and whether town insurance or the property owner’s insurer might cover wall repairs. Charlie said flags were placed at veterans’ stones and that, after preliminary clearing near those stones, he did not observe veteran stones damaged. The board agreed to follow up quickly given the fiscal‑year timing and the limited remaining tree‑warden funds.
