City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Cemetery Committee, 2 Jun 2022

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From YouTube: 6.2.2022 Cemetery Committee

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6.2.2022 Cemetery Committee

A

It's right here in the direction. Sorry, okay, call to order. What are we ordering? No um roll call.

A

We'll go with you sue first roll call, polidora eva boyce, don bargerson, d.d forte susan sterry, chris.

B

Benesic and suzanne woodland on behalf of the city of portsmouth, deputy city manager, okay, so and then.

C

We should get celeste who's left. Sorry celeste. I have to find celeste brooks hi hi celeste, I'm.

A

Going to make sure we get you on the list for the mailings from the city uh she didn't get there.

A

Yeah so I'll just double check I'll check, because I saw her name on what I sent yesterday. So maybe.

C

We just don't have that right. I think it's because I gave sue a new email for all of the way back and.

D

That got buried in my personal. I did find it. Oh! Oh I'm! Sorry, oh good, so you did find my email.

C

Yes, um I have a separate one just for cemetery communities: okay, okay, excellent, excellent.

A

Can you email that to um cynthia your new address and she'll make sure it gets on.

A

The right list, thanks a lot, I mean that will go to your other email. How are you, oh god, thank you.

A

Okay, so now we have to do another roll call.

A

Okay, so now we can.

A

E

Technically call for the all in favor.

E

All right go ahead, it doesn't someday. I will know how to do this. Celeste are you and I.

F

Yes, sorry, okay, we're gonna, pretend you did a roll call I'll note it that you all, because I didn't.

C

Hear anything different, yeah, okay, okay, all right all right um approval of the minutes. That's done.

A

Use the social media. I am going to turn that over to suzanne, because because she's going to make it.

A

Clear for all of us what we can and can't do and why we can't or why we can't so no yeah.

C

So so social media is a little tricky for public bodies and you are a public body.

C

And what that means is is when you engage in communications.

C

Sequentially it can create a public meeting and you're not supposed to have public meetings unless.

C

They're noticed so the challenge with social media is that if you are all on a web page, you know a.

C

Social media site, at the same time and weighing in on something relevant to your committee.

C

So, let's forget: if you're checking out the latest restaurant, so something about you know: cemeteries.

C

Or what we would discuss here, that's a problem. If there's a quorum of you on that social media site.

C

All weighing in on cemeteries! Now that doesn't mean that you can't post notices of.

C

You know upcoming events on your own personal page.

C

Hopefully, you all aren't on each other's pages. You know beyond the number seven which is our quorum.

G

I don't think I'm on anybody's page. So so that's that's the kind of line that.

C

That you're walking um so use social media. We have a city, facebook page which, as you know,.

C

Stephanie manages and we're happy to push out stuff for you. We're happy to update the cemetery.

C

Committee page as more events happen, and we have more pictures and more stuff to put out there.

C

So that's all good, it's not don't use social media, but we have to be careful of it when we're in the.

C

Context of our public body mission and functions so that we don't accidentally create a non-noticed.

C

Meeting so that's why, again, if you're on your own page- and maybe just one of you are friends with.

C

Another and you're pushing out information about the great work you did at the headstone cleaning.

C

Awesome, no problem, it's just when you get to that magic number of a quorum you're, seven! That's when.

C

Your little red flags need to go off and say: oh, if we're not talking about the new.

C

Restaurant and we're talking about one of the cemeteries, which is the subject of our.

C

Our coming together and meeting and talking that's where you need to draw the line so that you don't.

C

Kind of go over that because, even if it's two hours later or the next day, it's that serial.

C

Conversation that we're trying to prevent minor things when we send out from a staff perspective.

C

Scheduling and we send an email out to all of you, not too worried about the minor scheduling pieces.

C

But that's why oftentimes I'll have a reminder if it's substantive, which is don't reply all we'll.

C

Talk about it in the noticed meeting and that's that's why it's my understanding in massachusetts.

C

They don't, they basically have a hard. No when it comes to social media, if you are a public figure.

C

Because of that risk, new hampshire does not have a hard, no, which just you have to be.

C

Cognizant of who's in the pool for discussion- that's all so does. Does that help and that's.

C

Why it's a little hard to have an independent sort of social media website page now. That being said,.

C

um The city, for example, has a storm water page. You know an instagram page where we.

C

Put up stuff specifically related to water quality and in our little storm.

C

Videos about pick up your dog poop and you know those kind of things.

C

We could certainly consider at some point developing an instagram page just for.

C

This committee, for example, right now I'd, say we don't have the bandwidth.

C

From a staff perspective, because if you're going to turn on comments and that kind of stuff.

C

You've got to have someone to monitor it, and you know that takes you know some.

C

Attention, um but we and it can't be any of us- you can do your own as long as you're, careful.

C

um It's better, if it's just you as a person. No, I meant monitoring if, if the city put up the.

A

Site could one of us be the monetary? I think that's something that could be.

C

Discussed if we were working on policies like the library has a very clear policy that talks about.

C

They have a number of staff who are trained in social media, they're trained. They have a.

C

Policy, in terms of when you take comments down how you interact what you post, so I think there.

C

Is a possibility that we could evolve to that kind of hybrid, where it's both a staff and a volunteer.

C

From one of the committees, so I think we could put that on the list for conversation. um But that's.

C

Kind of the pieces we're trying to put in place as we evolve from an organizational point of view.

C

To these other means of communication, you know not, surprisingly, we're a little.

C

You know a little behind and it just it takes it takes time. You know out of someone's day.

C

To kind of be on top of that, um but, like I said, we're moving in that direction in some forms.

C

And- and I think that's certainly something that could be talked about down the road as.

C

More gets going with the committee and there are more projects and it it may be, a collaboration.

C

um To find out how to do that and, like I said we're, we've got some templates from the other.

C

Departments where they're a little ahead of the game because of the nature of what they do, they.

C

Do more services that are outward so we're trying to put those pieces in place on the other parts.

C

Of the organization well, and so in reality, if down the road, if we did this or another committee does.

A

It like yep historic, then it would be good, for it could be a template for any community that wanted.

A

To do that, yes, okay, yeah! We we try to yeah. We try to learn as we go along and if we found something.

C

That works repeat it. Yeah yeah. I misunderstood that at our last meeting and I thought it was.

E

Okay, to do social media, so I created a facebook page. Do I need to take it down at this point or.

E

Just leave it out there and not promote it. um Our how many of you are on that page. I.

E

Have one college friend: that's on that page? Oh okay, all right! um You know what why don't.

C

We set up a time to talk with stephanie, okay and let's see what that bandwidth is.

C

um She's looked at the policy, the media policy, one thing we did when we first rolled out some of our.

C

Social media sites is, we just didn't turn on comments. We used it to push out information.

C

But not to have the back and forth because of you know: okay, not wanting to leave a comment thread.

C

On unlooked at shall we say um I can turn off comments and, and that might be what we, what we do.

C

Until we find a way to roll it out and and monitor it, and it doesn't mention the city of portsmouth.

E

At all, it just is about historic cemeteries, of course, yeah. Let's, let's set up a time and.

C

And look at it and, let's see if we can find a way, maybe that becomes our little test site.

C

um And I'm also interested in getting in on that meeting, because there are people who.

F

Are already wondering where the social media is for this, so having something like an instagram.

F

That's just like hey check out these grades. Hey we're doing a thing! That's just a notice board.

F

More than um a discussion board, which I think that's what you're having the issue with where.

F

You might result in porn if people are having a discussion. You're you're, correct, yeah, yeah, yeah.

F

I mean, I don't think that's really. What instagram is is it's more of a hey look at all these things.

F

Rather than have discussions where you might have that issue with facebook, yeah and and.

C

You're, absolutely right and that's why, like I said when we did our stormwater it's more of a.

C

Pushout but it's it's full of pictures and videos and and that kind of stuff. So I I think it's a.

C

Conversation that we could we could have so celeste d I'll set something up, maybe with.

C

Stephanie and we'll see if we can evolve it to the next step, and I know we have new pictures.

C

From the headstone cleaning, so maybe we can talk about updating the the web page as well with that.

C

So could I oh yes, okay, thanks yep, okay, so I got carrie celeste d and then reach out to stephanie.

D

Okay, I think you have said some important things and I wonder if it's possible.

D

To um sort of synthesize what you said, and even just in our uh minutes that come.

D

Out for you to say something like you may one, two three, you may not one two three.

D

Four, whatever, in other words, simplify it yeah yeah, but as a guidance, but I'm also very curious, like.

D

And what if we inadvertently, because no one would do it on purpose. But you know what, if we.

D

Made the mistake and um and violated some of this, what are the you know? What are the.

D

Consequences, I mean, do we do, do we all go to uh you, know, city jail or something.

D

No seriously do we harm ourselves in some way. um Generally, the answer is, you know the.

C

Occasional misstep is not a problem. It's when we have repeat offenders or people who who.

C

You know yeah, okay, who have issues and and when it causes concern within the community, because that's.

C

The thing it is in a minute, um and also sometimes what I've done is when it's happened on a.

C

Substantive issue is, you can also bring it forward to the next meeting and disclose it and say this.

C

Happened: here's the subject matter discussed these are public records and at least it's kind of on.

C

The record that we all acknowledge oops, you know there was a serial communication of substance and.

C

We're acknowledging it and we talk about it, and we talk about how to prevent it. Okay, so we're in good.

C

Faith all right and that's really what we're looking for is good faith um yeah, like I said.

F

I have a question yes, um so when you're saying a conversation of substance, you know if if, if.

F

The city posts- you know, hey, there's a cleaning for the cemetery and all of us like it we're not.

F

Like you know, facebook like or put an emoji or a gif or something on there.

F

That's not a conversation just like a comment or a reaction. You're talking about having actual.

F

Formative conversation on a page like that, so that feels like a bar a bar exam question, because.

C

I'd say that really falls into the gray area, so I was gonna say that well yeah. Where do you? I.

C

Guess where do you draw the line when it comes so so I would generally. um I would try not to.

C

Have it be more than seven of you that that, like it or post, an emoji, because it is an expression.

C

And it's right on topic. I understand why one would want to do that from a social media perspective.

C

Of getting more likes to get more attention- and I think that's what's hard and that's why I say.

C

It's a great bar exam question because I don't think the right to know law was drafted with this.

C

Particular circumstance in mind we're always playing often playing catch-up in the law to.

C

This evolving situation um and, like I said in in some states, it's a hard. No because it's you know.

C

You're walking the line there, so my preference would be to be conservative and not have it be.

C

More than seven of you that do the liking or the emoji, um that would be the conservative answer.

F

Oh sorry, um I mean what happens when the city of portsmouth shares. You know. That's.

F

Okay, okay, there's there's a cleaning and then I share it and then you know four or five other.

F

People from the committee also share it to their private pages, and now you have you know seven.

A

Different conversations happening on those pages, does I mean just sharing just all of.

F

Us sharing it to our pages. Does that count? As a conversation, I would say the sharing.

C

Is no because any conversation, if you will that you might have with your neighbors or your friends,.

C

Saying, oh, isn't this cool? Do you want to join us at the next time? Is then on on your page and not.

C

You know it's not in the broader group and it's their conversation. Not yours concert.

C

Conversation, I think it it would be. It might is a little easier to understand if you think, like.

A

um If dee posted on her facebook page, um we look at so-and-so's doing this. Another town is what.

A

Do you think about this guys and then all of a sudden, all of it you know all of us go on there or.

A

Five or seven of us do and make a specific comment about. Oh, I think that's a great idea. I think.

A

That's a great idea that becomes a discussion of something that we would do in a normal meeting.

A

Right and that we would want, to put I mean that might go out to the public right, so we can't do.

A

That online we have to have that discussion here. But if everybody goes out and said, oh we had.

A

A wonderful day at the cleaning- and you know we had wine and champagne and did all kinds of stuff.

A

And then, um and then we all shared that that's that's not a threat of comments. It's just a.

A

Sharing of events, it's anything that would constitute us having to make a vote on decision.

A

Right right, so it gets complicated for sure, like getting back to what eva said, the do's.

E

And don'ts right, you know because just make a nice little list yeah that we can consult with.

D

Yeah right yeah and I think maybe we should just subconsciously, not informally, subscribe.

A

That we won't post on anybody's pages for the next few months. Until we get it, you can.

A

Go and look, but just let's not and the chances of five of us posting to someone's page is rare. But.

A

If we, just until it settles down- because this is an issue- that's not going to go away.

A

For anybody right in the city exactly yeah exactly and that's why you know I I'm we're giving you our.

C

Best guidance, but it's always evolving guidance, because sometimes we get decisions from the courts.

C

That help inform us, you know what does this really mean, or you know kind of see, policies from other.

C

Municipalities on how they've tried to answer this question. Well, if I just like something, does that.

C

Constitute an expression, so these are good questions and they're all fair questions and.

C

You know it's not always a clear answer. Sorry, I heard an expression about that this. This.

G

This week regarding the legal penumbra and is like something that is like not totally.

A

Not totally white kind of trying to find a light, someplace right all right. So, let's move on to the.

A

Headstone cleaning schedule which you all have this is just a suggested. One you'll see where.

A

The x's represent when our meetings are on this calendar, the saturday circles.

A

uh Actually yeah they're, they're scheduled or hopefully scheduled, cleaning.

A

What you'll see is a circle of a week in there. I actually had the pleasure of meeting the captain.

A

Of the cheyenne submarine- and he is really anxious about having his.

A

Men get their volunteer hours, so he said set up a schedule not just for him, but.

A

He said set up a schedule and I'll make sure they're there. So um I've had some.

A

Temporary commitments from the elks, the dar and we haven't even touched boy scouts girl scouts. I.

A

Want to see if one of us can do a presentation at rotary to get some roadie rotary petition.

A

A participate, a little, you know, help just help, and um also maybe even money or what have you so.

A

Those are the projected weeks and I I didn't want to pick a date specifically because.

A

You know I I don't want to ask you to come help us and say you can only come on wednesday.

A

So if someone email that to me please, yes, I will absolutely do that when I get home extras.

A

Oh right, next to you, no there's a couple down here. I've got two of them here. Oh um so maybe.

A

What this is based on to some extent, um I thought corner would be here, but.

A

I I walked with him. How do you pronounce his name- corn, corn? Okay, because every lots of times.

A

People correct me, so um I walked a cemetery with him the other day about something else and.

A

He and I are both hoping that um they have a 100 gallon container that sits on a stand.

A

That you know he was going to look into it and have it water, water and have it sitting there.

A

And he also said oh well, you know me, I mentioned having like a little shed there. He goes. Oh, I.

A

Thought of something so there's nothing guaranteed, but um he has no problem with the saturdays that.

A

We picked, but I'm I'm looking to save money for them, because it's time and a half every time on.

A

A saturday and it's also money out of his budget, you know to tie up someone for four or five hours.

A

That means they're not doing something else, some somewhere else, where we've all been trained.

A

It makes it a little bit easier because they don't have to worry that.

A

You know um we're going to do it all wrong or what have you just cleaning so um as long as we.

A

Can let them know in advance, you know on the weekdays, this shouldn't be an issue so.

A

um And coryn mentioned that to me that you two had spoken and that he was going to try and find a way.

C

That um to make it not need a staff person right on the weekends if with a tank, so I know he's.

C

Working on that piece, so if you settle on dates, we'll keep working on how we could make that work.

C

So it sounds like we can't have a hundred gallon tank there, that is on site and they fill it up.

B

And then yeah it can be used whenever we're there, because we could drop it on a friday. That would.

A

Be awesome, yeah, yeah and, and the other part too is there are other options that we can look into, but.

A

You know he was going home about that so um before we decide on the schedule.

A

I just want to say I I just picked it according to the flow of it, and I.

A

There's never a good saturday or any day during the week. There's we're always going.

A

To be bumping up against something so in the summertime, so you know, even if only six.

A

People show up that's that many more headstones that are cleaned, um but also, if we're out there.

A

I'd like to get well, this is part of fundraising, you know we'll be more visible and there should.

A

Be a lot of tourists around at that point in time or just people out in general, so.

A

It gives us visibility, it's not necessarily about how many headstones we get cleaned. It's.

A

And are these all north cemetery dates? Oh north cemetery, yeah, which I want to clarify.

A

Too is because um I had assumed- and I thought in our earlier discussions, if we can remember.

A

We sort of decided to focus this year on on north and union, because it's the center of town, it's.

A

Going to raise awareness and all of that because there are certainly the other cemeteries- are.

A

Going to be a lot easier to get things done in than union and north, so um smaller yeah, smaller.

A

um Just a lot of things, so it needs attention too yeah. So um if anybody has any comments.

A

About what the dates are- and this will also be easier for us to have posted on the website.

A

People who would be interested in volunteering because that's who came through last time.

A

And this would also give any of you who are on social media the ability to post it when you want.

A

To post it you know, what's coming up and what's going on so I think june 11th is market square day.

A

Yep, probably is yeah, probably a really good day to do it because there'll be less yeah.

A

I mean I can walk there and stuff, I don't know about the rest of you, but I will say that will.

C

Probably be hard for public works because we have so many duties, but if corn thought he could do it.

C

But I just or if we can get water there yeah, that's awesome that tends to be full on you.

C

Will have a hard time parking unless so, unless you're walking it's a yeah, I expect it'll be busy.

C

Because it's the first one back on the regular day right, um nobody wants to do it on a sunday.

A

I I mean I would but it's up to you guys. I don't, I think it's good. I think it's good.

E

To do it, you want to just want to move it to the following week, though, the 18th.

A

I mean we, we can do that. I was sort of trying to keep the week. You know week in between a.

A

Cleaning and then doing another cleaning, but the 18th is fine with me. I I really don't have any.

A

Problems, I'm out of the country that saturday anyways it was better for me in the 18th, but.

B

I mean it works for everyone else. Once I heard that there was the um the market day.

B

I mean I lived downtown, I mean that's crazy, it is very busy yeah, it is very busy and it.

C

Might detract rather than helpful? No, you know it's a valid point. Yeah.

B

No, I mean if that worked, I could be around for the 18th, but I'm not around on the 11th.

E

I think maybe we should move it to the 18 yeah. No, that that's fine with me. I again this was.

A

Just a suggestion of where to start: where is you know, it is going to be crazy, yeah and the paper.

E

You know if they're going to publicize anything it'll be market square, not cemetery. That would.

G

Be true, many of us are retired. We can do it during the week. If we have time I mean.

G

Towards maybe the at the end of the day during the week. Well, that's a possibility too. However,.

A

I'm thinking on saturdays, more in the terms of getting outside people yeah like came last.

A

Time yeah, I have no problem moving into the 18th and there's an advantage of setting a schedule.

E

Now and getting that approved rather than having to get each yeah exactly approved right, that's.

E

Yeah, I think why you know it was good for sue to come up with a schedule so yeah. I.

A

Most people think the 18th is that: does it yeah, that's fine, whatever all right, the.

A

And chris you better be there. I might be a little.

B

Jet lagged, but I will be there: no, that's not right from germany.

B

Friday, friday morning, okay, so 18th and anybody else have any- and these are only suggest. I.

A

Mean we're going to mark these down, but I mean obviously, if there's a hurricane or bad weather or.

A

Something else comes up, I mean we don't this isn't do or die, or somebody even offers. Another group.

A

To come in as long as we give the dpw notice that we're doing a susan notice of what's going on, keep.

C

In mind uh the labor day is september 5th. So if you're, if you're good with the third, that's that's.

C

Fine, I'm just pointing it out in case people, because I know a lot of people travel on that.

E

I would I would move that one too, because everybody's yeah school holidays, this is the.

E

Last, hurrah yeah! Well again, this the only reason I didn't change. It is because so many schools go.

A

Back in the second week of august now, but I I have no problem so I just wanted to know my thought.

A

Behind the we move that to the 10th, we can do that yeah my son's getting married on the tent. Oh.

E

I'm kidding, he really is yeah. That's congrats.

A

um Okay, none of these are mandatory, so all right so we're moving.

A

June, um the 11th to june the 18th and we're moving september 3rd to to the 10th.

A

Any other problems you see, suzanne, you know more. What's going on in the.

E

No, I think that I you hit the ones that I thought about so yeah.

A

All right so you're going to make a motion motion to accept.

E

The schedule as energy changes to the schedule motion to accept the schedule for future.

C

Cleanings on june 18th july, 9th august 6th september 10th and october 1., a second.

A

And and then what how how would we word for those the week in the groups, the group yeah.

B

Because I want to wait till we get here about the water availability in the tank right.

C

um So why don't we, since we have a pending motion? Why don't we vote on that pending motion.

C

To deal with these ones the weekend ones and then we'll circle back on motion to accept.

G

Okay, just call the vote, all those in favor say that has been made in second, all those in favor.

G

Always say opposed because when you do a boy's boat, okay,.

C

Thank you and I think celeste was an eye. Oh celeste sauced. Yes, I said, okay, sorry, that's why.

F

I I wasn't sure you got a little lost. Okay, I'm totally lost when it comes to these procedures.

C

Okay, so now in in terms of the weekly ones, I think that's less, of an e issue from a.

C

Public works perspective because we normally have staff working on weekdays and it's not an extra.

C

Effort shall we say I mean we need some advance notice, but.

C

Not the same kind of notice to bring someone in on a weekend.

C

Do you want to.

C

Do you want to pin down with the navy the navy first or do you want to kind of look at.

C

These weeks and see which ones the committees involve, you know where the committee could be.

C

There to help that's managed and then you'll know to say: hey navy. Do you want june july.

C

Or august is that what you're thinking yeah? Okay, that's what I was thinking so.

A

um Because if it's not the navy, it could be the elks or the boy scouts or something yeah, so yeah.

A

Does anyone see any problems with the weeks that are you looking to do it every month, yeah, okay,.

B

So it's a week every month for uh yeah one of the days, one of the days, one of the days every month.

B

Yes, but I wanted to pick a week before I asked any group, you know hey, I have to get back to you.

A

I'd rather say you can, we could usually this week and let them pick a date yeah. So that looks good.

B

See what they come back with once you throw those out there yeah so.

A

Any all right, so what do we have to do? Make a motion for the week for community service.

E

Let's make a motion for group cleaning from different civic groups to clean.

E

On the weeks of june 20th july, 18th august, the 15th september, the 12th second.

E

A

Oh, you are still running meetings.

A

um Oh well great, so you know those dates now yeah, so you all have your copies. If you think.

A

Of anybody- or you want to reach out to any group- I mean they don't have to come during that week, but.

A

All of you, you can reach out to anybody and invite them to come cleaning. We will have forms there, but.

A

It would be nice, we need to know ahead of time if you're bringing somebody so.

A

That's it for headstone cleaning right now, because I want to get on to fundraising.

A

If anybody has any more questions, oh I wanted to just let you know one of the projects that was.

A

On the original assessment, upping cotton cemetery as you go into south street from south street, the.

A

Right left-hand wall was coming away from where the tombs are in there. There are receiving vaults.

B

Right there yeah on that side, um the city approved getting it fixed and it's now fixed and you have.

A

To go back by it, it's beautiful and original yeah there you go you'll see it's totally different. Oh.

A

Well, not different, it's all the same stones um on here. It was sixty thousand dollars in 2013.

A

The city paid five, so it's really worth shopping around thanks to michael griffin, he was having.

A

Some other work done in the cemetery and wonderful he caught the people were interested and thanks to.

A

Suzanne and the group yep, we quickly said yes and they thought for that price. Yes, good deal.

C

Yeah, that was what we thought two more things so um yeah did a a beautiful job so on to fundraising.

A

Oh 400, sorry, real quick with this one.

A

I'm hoping you all got a chance to read the email that I sent back in the beginning of the month.

A

I I don't know what anybody I didn't hear back from anybody. Oh yeah, that's right!.

A

This one right here, yeah, I I didn't care it was attached to which one is it attached.

A

I think you have it it's attached to the minutes. Yep, it's actually not.

A

um Proposed 400th activities right so didn't I tell you, I would do documents.

A

Yeah, but I mean that's only one portion of it- I we still haven't decided if we just want to do.

A

uh One day if we want to do a whole week, like the information you said, I did think about that.

D

You know, I think, isn't there are so many things you could think about, but how would you.

D

Get the most bang for your buck so to speak. Well, hopefully, we're not well, I know we're not in.

D

In terms of a week as opposed to spreading it out during the year.

D

That that's what I was thinking and I couldn't come to any conclusion about what would be better.

D

So um I wonder if anyone had better thoughts about it than I did.

A

Well, so, just briefly, you know plant we can plan one day pick several times and spread them out.

A

Over the you know several times or activities, different ones, you know pick the five days.

A

Or just do several single events in one day, so there's plenty of options. There.

B

So you're saying an a here commit to a week of activities and then there's we choices. Yeah. That's.

B

20 23., yes right, yeah yeah confused by that yeah 20 23.. So in 2023 we're looking to have a week.

B

With these activities right- or these are just suggested, yeah, whatever we decide on right or we.

A

Could just pick a couple of we don't even have to pick anything per se today. I just want to get us.

A

In the 400s are weeks being assigned or like, uh is it no it's just like throughout the year or.

B

The summer or it is throughout the year doing so it's a long. You know, starting in january, a couple.

E

Like signature events, forget there's no parade, but oh what was the first one? My friend, I can't.

A

Do they have a calendar ready or that's what I was going to ask.

B

You yeah, you know where it makes the most sense for us right. I don't know we could just be vague.

A

I went on a couple weeks ago and there was no permanent calendar for any events.

A

They're still raising money and they're still, you know some people still want to have the.

A

Parade and things like that so you're trying to get in the summer to a tall ship uh review.

B

Or something right, I saw that too right, so I mean yeah, I mean all the planning has to start.

A

Now you know this summer, especially for if we were bringing people in you know, so they could put.

A

Us on their calendar and if there was some money involved you know we would have to.

A

Raise money for it, but are you our representative on the 400th anniversary committee? No, he is, he is.

B

Okay, so you're actually attending those meetings. No they haven't, they haven't had any. Oh okay.

C

They've been having just internal meetings, they haven't had public meetings they're because they.

B

Are like further along and like we were behind, but it sounds like we're more at the vanguard.

E

We've met with them, and what we need to do is just um get like a an application in by the end.

E

Of june just to say, we want to work with them on different events, and we don't have to be specific.

A

Yeah, I have the application. It's very generic yeah they're, still not.

A

Really um but I think to sue's point: we got to start thinking about it because it is just a year.

E

From whoa it would be good if we knew what dates there was a specific event going on and have like.

G

Maybe we can have a tour of the north cemetery in the morning and after that, there's another event.

G

For the 400 in the afternoon, so people come here for the day and but not knowing where the events.

G

Are that that's good yeah, I'm thinking we put the application in. We just be vague on dates and.

E

Work with them, I think that might work for now. If you, if you know you want to do a week.

C

Maybe you get the application and say we're looking at a week in the summer and are willing.

C

To coordinate with the 400th as your schedule evolves, and- and you know it may be next month- that.

C

They may have more structure and notice because they will have gotten other applications in and.

C

They'll say: oh yeah, this is organization is doing something this week, so it may be that they will.

C

Get more information over the next few weeks that will help inform where you might want to slot in.

B

So like, for instance, I think like the historic walks and characters in the cemeteries talking.

B

About you know, people who were there. I think I think people would really like that. That's kind of.

B

You know what we're more closely aligned to doing, I think than these other, like reenactments.

B

And things like that, um so I would just think that that is probably the most relevant talking.

B

About the history and the provenance of uh the cemeteries, how how they relate to portsmouth today,.

B

And I guess what we'd have to do, then? Is we put an application and get a date right on their.

B

Calendar because then you want, if you're going to be doing something like that. That requires.

B

People to set aside times you know because it's like at nine o'clock or it's at one o'clock or.

B

Whatever we might do it on, then we just need to make sure we're getting it out. Well in.

B

Advance so when people are looking at coming to portsmouth they're like oh, this one looks.

B

Really interesting, you know, there's like a total cemetery and I think that's the point. Yeah yeah.

B

Yeah yeah, so they can make plans around that. So so maybe I should rephrase the question.

A

I just thought of it because of chris. um Does anybody disagree with anything that's on here.

A

That it's a potential that we could you know want to do it so that on the list on the list.

A

Of different things, yeah I mean I'm not saying commit, but is there anything there's nothing.

A

On here that any of us would feel that is inappropriate. Well, I have some questions.

E

400 activities this yeah, yes yeah, it doesn't look like that. Is that what that is.

E

Just a different one: oh okay, uh I have a question about. Have we finished with the week versus days.

E

Approach, no that's part of my question or reforming. My question is.

A

Put in let's put in the application, I think we all agree that we should do something we don't need to.

A

Decide that today, and and get our name in d, can work with them and find out what their thoughts.

A

Process is and how we can move around it and then, after that, after meeting in two it'll put us, you.

A

Know in july or august, then we can come back and decide as a group you know: do we want to do this.

A

Do we want to do that and we'll have a better idea of what they'll even accept from us? So all right.

E

So we're we're not going to be talking about in the application that we're the type of application.

E

It's just wanting to know it's just um your name.

A

It's kind of a short description of your portsmouth 400 project, so we're just going.

A

To we would just put in, we want to hold some cemetery. Some events around the cemetery histories.

A

Which portsmouth? Oh you, have to decide we're in their legacy. They have seven columns.

A

And we fit into their legacy program. um Will your program charge admission or purchase prices.

A

No, if your program, you know, are we self-supporting yeah. So that's it.

A

That's it from the list that you have.

G

There is number four which is a week-long encampment yeah, that's probably a little too much.

E

Yeah yeah, what would that be, and then, where would you put them straight on the 1776 group, which.

A

One, the the militia, the state of new hampshire number, four yeah number, four, oh. What is she? Oh.

E

1776 group right, I guess there is- is there a group, a specific 1776 group or yes,.

A

There are official groups for everything that's on here and yes, and it would be, it could be.

A

Interpreted relative um possibility over by the gundala, which would be representative and it'd.

A

Also be right next to point of graves, and it would show how the people that are buried in point of.

A

Graves what their life was like back in the 1700s, so um there's such a thing as a 1776 group. Yes,.

E

And what what are they they're, they're colonial reenactments and then that's all they do they go.

A

All over the state and set up encampments and show people what it was like to live back in the 1700s.

E

Did they have a website or something I don't know more precise name.

A

No, um I don't know, I just know them by that. I I I went on the internet and there were.

E

A couple at least a couple of groups that call themselves 77 1776 groups and.

E

They do different things, so I just oh yeah. I wanted to research. It.

E

Which was the specific? No, I I didn't. No, I have. These are just general, just general.

A

Ideas, so someone can research that so somebody so well I'd be glad to yeah. That would be great.

G

But this might be something that um strawberry bank may already have on the docket, because.

G

There are encampments that happen over there through it all the time. That's true.

E

That would be great and we could fit something in at the point of grapes, so yeah strawberry.

G

Bank coordinator is doing that so maybe a little detachment. That's why I wish there was a calendar.

D

That, if we would be in who would be able to make very good decisions right exactly what they were.

D

Doing these are just totally suggestions, they're right, nobody, suspects, they're, good ones, but it.

D

Would be great to use them and that's why the research needs to be done. So we need to like you.

A

Say, eva that um and you're right I know strawberry banks had their encampments and I don't know, but.

A

There are a number of them in the state and there are some that even come across borders too. So yeah.

E

I think we just want to get the application in and say our intent is to collaborate with the.

E

Committee and that you know we have things that we have in mind right and if they work out in the the.

E

Calendar, the 400, then right, it's a win right and now and also the 400 will have more information.

A

Just like you said, you know what is strawberry bank doing what's going on down there so.

A

That would be part of it so, but we do want to know if we're having interaction with an outside group.

E

Or sponsorship of their activities, we want to know who they are. I think absolutely that's what I'm.

E

Driving absolutely absolutely yeah, like the fife and the fife and drum they're the people. These the.

A

The kids that you see downtown portsmouth all the time and they're part of like the vaughan yeah.

A

Right exactly yep, so what about the militia? What is this? A state yep, the state first state militia.

G

First, new hampshire regiment, so I have a question. Yeah there's also a second new hampshire regiment.

G

Oh, I didn't know that oh cool, the question is: what kind are there any activities that aren't.

E

Appropriate in cemeteries, like it's sacred ground, no most cemeteries in europe and larger separa.

A

Like even boston they're treated like arboretums they're used for that they're used for places.

A

Parks, for you know, reflection all those kinds of things so, like bands is life and drum. No, no.

A

No, I mean so help me understand, because you know I'm I'm from a clergy family right and I probably.

E

Think of things a little differently so um but like a band marching amongst the gravestones.

A

Well, no, they wouldn't be no. The fife and drum kids there's eight of them yeah and they would.

A

Be in some places and they would stand by the sign of of the north summit, say. North cemetery doesn't.

A

Have to be there or by this down in prescott park? Oh! No! No! We're not! No just trying to picture that.

E

And I was thinking, oh that sounds. You know we're walking on people's graves. No! Okay! No! Sorry! No.

A

I'm glad you asked, because I wouldn't want you to leave here thinking that we were.

A

No, it would all be, I don't want to say protocol, but it would certainly be respective.

A

Or respectful to anything, that's going.

A

Or people buried in any of the cemeteries yeah that's more than what dog owners do so.

A

Which so that we'll stay with this? So uh you, you start you're the better.

E

uh Motion to do we have emotion. Do we need emotion um that we're gonna submit communication.

C

I think emotion would be nice for the minutes that that an application will be submitted to.

C

The 400th okay: do we have a motion that we're going to submit an application to collaborate.

E

With the 400th community making the motion just made the application for the 400 okay, somebody.

E

Said a call for one second, okay, thank you. Thank you sue and chris, you are helping me out here.

E

There's no specifics, you know any of you can add something to this list. When we come to discussion.

A

It's not. This is not finalized. By any stretch of imagination, we need to follow the vote. All in.

G

Favor opposed okay, so gina howe has another job to put together the applications, which is fine, yeah.

A

But seriously, if, when you guys, are doing research or if you just happen to read something whatever.

A

You can add anything to this list so when it comes time to discussion in july or ju um august.

A

Certainly, just bring your your thoughts with you yeah, and I think the 400th committee also has.

E

You know suggestions like they're working with a couple coders from um portsmouth.

E

High that are going to do qr codes at different places so that you can look up the history of.

E

The different place we need to get in on that yeah. I think we should get out of that yeah exactly all.

A

Right so fundraising, very quickly, not I I put out the sheet fundraising. um It just looks like this.

A

Again, these are just suggestions. Do you have one yep, just suggestions? um This came from actually.

A

This sheet, if you all remember that we did a long time ago,.

A

At the very beginning and our mission to restore preserve and safeguard.

A

Portsmouth's historic cemeteries in their history for future generations.

A

The only way we're going to be able to do that is potentially to fundraise or gifts in kind.

A

Plus, yes, the city is putting aside some money for us, but that's not going to cover everything that.

A

Just in repair, it wouldn't even cover it also and other things that we might like to do so.

A

I'm just going to run through this real quick. What I've done so far federal grants um where.

A

Next year, l chip eva completed the moose plate grant and suzanne. Now has it to see if it's doable.

A

Yep and send it into the state- and I just want to add that it's due three weeks from yesterday.

D

So time is of the essence yeah and they have the but they're allowing this extension, though.

B

Is there an extension it's due june? 22Nd? Oh, oh, oh, three weeks later it's due, I had the same question.

C

Course I was thinking I thought she told me like the middle of june and I was going to do it before.

D

Yeah june 22nd, thank you so we we got the estimate for the work.

A

Eva put all the paperwork together and everything and suzanne now has it for the city side to.

A

You know do their part foundation grants. I haven't had any time to look at foundation grants. So if.

A

Any of you are familiar with grant writing or different grants or charities that you know.

A

um That would be great um and the other and the reason we not the reason.

A

um Most of the money grant money that we would go after this. That, from this point, is going to be.

A

For 2024 I mean you know, 2023 24, because it takes a year to most places to go through.

A

Any of these processes, so um we have to think long term too, as well as just trying to get.

A

Money in a pot and keep on going um so I've never written. I mean I don't know anything about.

E

uh Grant writing yeah. Should I like to try to take a course and figure out how to do that. I mean.

E

How do you, how do you learn how to do that? You can do that on youtube.

G

On youtube, yep, maybe I'll just take that learning about anything in youtube. Yeah.

A

Another thing, too, is um once you know the kind of grant that you're writing oftentimes.

A

All these organizations will send you copies of previous grants to give you an outline of how.

A

How they prefer it or what they're actually looking for so that's another option too.

A

I don't think grant writing, isn't necessarily hard. um It's a skill. How many people.

E

Well, the jobs that are going on. I I understand that, but I think if you just answer the questions.

A

Right what what's hard about it is doing the research is, there can be a ton of research that.

A

Goes into it so have you written grants? No yeah, there's a ton of research that goes into it. So.

A

When you get an example it it shows you what kind of research they're they're looking for. So it you.

A

Don't have to go down, one rabbit hole to find out. That was the wrong one and go down another.

A

So so then, the first step is really to find out what types of foundations.

E

Right and there are a lot of them out there and there used to be a book published.

A

Of all the foundations in the united states, but I haven't seen that or had time to look for it. So.

A

And and besides now, I have no idea online: what's out there, you haven't written any grant. No, no. I.

A

Have not so? Yes, you need to specifically research historic preservation, because many of the grants.

G

uh They are just kind of honed in on a particular area, so you can have a lot of the big foundations.

G

Probably have multiple categories, but smaller foundations are very specific yeah what they.

G

Do so, I would commit to getting a list together really starting a list of foundations that we.

E

Might consider that's great and, as susan said, when you start researching, you'll see the every.

A

Grant or foundation you find the first page is always about exactly what they're interested in.

A

Supporting and when you're looking there are different categories under different things,.

A

So so I that's a small thing, but I'll do it. um No, it's it's an important thing and sponsor.

A

We'll have to put this to the next one, but um just quickly I was thinking when I was a sponsor.

A

A graveyard um that would be a company, but I was wondering about if we could sponsor a headstone.

A

To be repaired, if someone wants to donate 100 and that will repair three headstones and we'll.

A

Send you before and after pictures of what your money did yeah I mean good idea. I mean.

A

Small things and big things together, that's just and that's also going to get our name up there. So.

A

um It's kind of like when you're selling, like those bricks for walkways yeah, that's exactly.

C

What I was thinking, because we've done we've done stuff like that before. Obviously um it's a little.

C

Tricky to manage, but let's let's try I'll, try and tease that out. I know we've got a list of things.

C

To kind of explore, but I I think that has it's familiar yeah in structure um and maybe we could.

C

Find a way to do that and I think people like like save a whale or say whatever, whatever you're.

A

Like, oh, that's, cool yeah, we could whatever we can discuss that further and then the.

A

Research other communities funding. um I haven't, found any cities comparable sizes that I had.

A

To do any fundraising, or what have you so and I've talked to a couple of trustees and.

A

They just seem to have money so um and that's not fair, but I mean they've had trustees taking.

A

Care of their cemeteries for years and years and years so whatever they've done.

A

Over the years, they've put it in a trust and is earning money, and they can do the cleaning. So.

A

um We don't have to go over the rest. This is just part of what was on on on this list.

A

But I I do want to go real, quick if everybody doesn't have to leave right this minute. Well,.

G

I do have something on the new business under any further business: okay, go ahead.

G

All right, I just wanted to bring to the attention- and I was hoping that corinne would be here today.

G

Those two pictures that I sent um kevin to post: could you click on them, so everybody can see them.

G

All right, you see this picture yep, it's the weedwacker yeah yeah. This is one of the graves.

G

The first grave that we cleaned that day um were we world training. Let's say yes, I remember.

G

Very specifically, because I was there for the training- this is one of the graves.

G

And it happened right after they mowed the grass um it's kind of.

G

I don't know what this, what the alternative is, if you want to do, the second picture, yeah.

C

I'll talk to corn and see part of it. It's a labor issue. Yeah, oh geez, yeah, oh hold on.

A

I've spoken to corn about this is yeah, and so I've been going to the north cemetery for a long time.

G

And I haven't noticed that this I mean I would have noticed that it follows a sudden. I walk.

G

By a grave and discover with clippings, so I don't know it might have been wet that.

C

Day is my I I don't know yeah. I noticed that when we were cleaning yep, um I went down. You know some.

E

Of the the gravestones so that they could clean it and then I went and clipped the grass next to it.

G

I don't know this one here is I bro I went and I bought a broom. I just cleaned them.

G

Afterwards, because it's like, I don't even know whose grave this is so, I can't read it, um but.

G

We just I know a lot of other cemeteries. You don't see that I was hoping the michael griffin.

G

Would be here, they mow the lawn over there all the time and they have a much bigger bigger area.

G

So there's got to be a way to do it. That's good I'll! Take these pictures so they're on the yeah.

C

uh Oh, I remember kevin's got to do it all by hand yeah they do yeah.

E

When corn and I walk the thing, is it's not mobile by hand, I mean by machine, there are.

A

Parts of it and one of the guys he assigns three gentlemen to do this. One of them is on a mower.

A

That can go around and do the sections that they can. Two of them are doing weed whacking right.

A

Some some graves are only this far apart, I mean we walked through them. So if you go down one side, it.

A

Goes this side and then you have to come back down it's there isn't a weed whacker that has.

A

I don't think has a 20 inch yeah. I don't think so. Yeah fly out of it out of this thing. It would be.

A

Too big and uh so if it's wet and then they come by with a weed whacker, that's what's happening.

A

Because I mean some of it is just done by weed whacker, very snow mowing right and.

A

They don't even finish the cemetery with the three men that they have.

A

So it's not that the city doesn't care that that's happening. Yes, we can keep talking to them.

A

And try to come up with a solution and stay on top of it, but is it something that we can we can.

A

I can spray to [ __ ], the growth of the grass. I mean I'd rather just see it's a blower. You know.

A

Again, we talked about the blower yeah and putting it on the back. It won't fit down through some of.

A

The thing some of the spaces between the not all of the spaces yeah, but it would still be.

A

Hit or miss they would just go down the ones that they could and come back down through.

A

And it would still be the overall same problem and he doesn't have time.

A

What they can mow if he had two people, one on the machine, one weed whacking and one with the blower.

A

Then a lot of the cemetery wouldn't even get mowed or weed wagged. So.

A

um Surprisingly, labor-intensive and that's the problem, we need a creative way of being able.

G

To do the job I mean I'd; rather, you see fake grass in that area than having this problem. It goes away.

G

It goes away, the mowing goes away and you don't cause the damage. So if we can get some of that.

G

Like you call the high school and find out how much the turf down there costs.

A

Hey, if they don't like it, they don't want to run on you, so we have a new sword. Well, that's true, too,.

A

But no, I I agree with you it it if you, when you go to all assassin for restoration and preservation.

A

Grass on headstones is right in the top three there's no getting around that I'm not making a.

A

Little of it I agree we should stay on top of it. Do some research on what other cemeteries.

A

Are doing- and I think that might be helpful- is there some technique that we are missing.

C

Or do people only mow on days when it's not wet and more likely to blow off? I mean maybe.

C

Maybe there's some, I think, that's the problem, the biggest issue and can be rectified.

B

By tweaking schedules right right, that's why I'm done a lot of landscaping when I was younger in.

B

The past and that's exactly what happens, it's wet and then it dries and it sticks it gets.

E

Really hard too yep, um so it's it's doing it when the weather bad. You know these guys.

B

Are probably on these schedules and you're not supposed to really mow grass when it's.

B

Raining out, for these reasons, let me I'll raise it with corn, so I agree 100. So if anybody wants.

A

Nothing to do at night, one of the cemetery preservation. I did that, but it is on the top.

A

Of the list of every site, I've ever gone to back in last fall when I was looking into it.

A

So um and he's aware of it so all right! Well, we have to call the meeting to an end.

G

Yeah, a german, a motion to adjourn the meeting. I move. I finally adjourn all in favor.

B

Everyone, you know.

A

Anytime, you guys have any ideas or run into please email dni, so that we can look into it too, and.

A