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Planning Board unanimously opposes allowing home burials
Summary
The Planning Board reviewed testimony and lists of pros and cons and unanimously voted to oppose permitting home burials, citing long-term maintenance, easement and property-value concerns.
The Planning Board voted unanimously on May 21, 2025 to oppose allowing home burials in the town. The board recorded a list of perceived benefits — chiefly cost savings and family preference — but concluded the long-term burdens outweighed those benefits and adopted a formal opposition at the meeting.
Board members noted multiple cons during their review, including that a burial is permanent while emotional needs may be short-lived, long-term upkeep and easement obligations for future owners, and the potential for disvaluation of nearby properties and the broader community. The meeting minutes state the board "unanimously voted to restrict/oppose the adoption of" a policy to permit home burials. The record lists attendees as Brad Taber, Sherry Habbershaw, Dom Spaccio and Amanda Gulini.
The board did not tie the vote to a specific ordinance number at the session; the minutes record the action as a formal board position opposing adoption of home-burial allowance and do not specify subsequent procedural steps. The board scheduled follow-up discussion items for future agendas as needed.
