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Fayston cemetery commissioners seek town support as maintenance costs rise
Summary
Cemetery commissioners told the Selectboard Fayston's commissions break even but receive no town funding, plan to raise fees, and warned of costly tree removals and perpetual-care restrictions that limit use of principal funds.
Candace Porter and Dave Koeppel, members of Fayston's Cemetery Commission, told the Selectboard the commission currently breaks even on sales and burials but does not receive regular town funding and cannot undertake larger maintenance projects without additional revenue. Porter said "there is a rate of $600 per lot for Fayston residents," and commissioners plan to raise burial and perpetual-care fees; state rules limit perpetual-care spending to interest from the fund principal, they said.
The commissioners emphasized growing maintenance needs. Koeppel said dead trees present a particular liability and substantial cost: "each would cost $3500-$5000 to take down," and a previously identified bulk-removal quote was roughly $4,000 per day with crane plus $2,800 for cleanup assisted by the road crew. Commissioners raised options including a town budget line item, establishing a reserve for tree care, or asking voters at Town Meeting to authorize a reserve. Town staff agreed to check the town liability insurance and to survey how other towns budget for cemetery care.
