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Trustees approve $17,893 from Trustee Fund to rebuild Village Cemetery lower fence
Summary
Williamstown trustees agreed to release the commission's full 4% distribution (about $17,893 on a $447,328 balance) to fund replacement of the lower fence in the Village Cemetery; the commission will use reserve funds and a carryover request to cover the remaining cost if needed.
Chair Matt Couillard opened the discussion by asking guests Gary Storrs and Orvil Lasell to consider funding for two fence projects in the Village Cemetery. Commissioners presented two contractor quotes: $9,346.26 to replace the fence along the cemetery top off Circle Street and $21,255.73 for the lower fence; the combined cost for both sites was roughly $32,000.
Orvil Lasell, identified in the minutes as Trustee of Public Funds, moved that the trustees "offer to give them the full 4% in the first half of the fiscal year" with the understanding the money would be available after July 1, 2026 for rebuilding the fence. Guest Gary Storrs said the Trustee Fund balance that morning was $447,328, which at 4% would yield $17,893; the trustees voted in favor and the motion passed. The minutes record that the disbursement will be arranged through Ameriprise and that the check should be made out to the Town and specified for the Cemetery Commission.
Commissioner Matt Walker noted the trustee amount would not cover both quotes and estimated the commission would be over budget by roughly $3,363. Commissioner Susan Lyons said the commission has about $8,700 in a maintenance Reserve Fund and proposed using carryover or reserve funds to make up the difference; trustees said unused funds should be returned to the trustees if not spent. The commission accepted the $17,893 specifically for the lower-field fence and agreed to draft a letter to the Town Manager and Treasurer to request any remaining budgeted funds be carried forward to complete the project.
Next steps recorded in the minutes: trustees will obtain a check from Ameriprise and the commission will prepare the carryover request; the commission noted the East Hill Cemetery Fund holds about $45,000 (originated by the Martin family) as background.
