City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Cemetery Committee, 3 Nov 2022

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From YouTube: 11.3.2022 Cemetery Committee

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11.3.2022 Cemetery Committee

A

Good morning, all right we're calling to order I'm trying to get more official type like presents.

A

The order, the um cemetery committee, um we are called to order and we're going to do a real.

A

Roll call, I will do that as we're supposed to do celeste in I'm here into the microphone. So.

A

Here, susan right here, carrie here, eva here and d-day here, and I'm susan, I'm here too so all right.

A

On to approval of minutes from the october 6th meeting, did everyone get a chance to go over them.

A

At home, before does anybody have any changes or corrections or feel anything got left out.

B

To approve second um everybody, what am I supposed to say all in favor.

A

Thank you. um I'm gonna turn this over to um eva right now on the moose plate, grant.

A

um I mean we all know that we got it it's up to you. I don't know what to say. We got.

C

The twenty thousand dollar grant um yesterday sue and I went on an online presentation and we.

C

Learned what has to happen? They just don't say: here's twenty thousand dollars have a.

C

Blast there there's definite protocol that has to be followed about the the.

C

um Whole thing and um actually took notes and brought my notes, not not that they're.

C

They're they're crucial, I mean we have to sign a uh a grant agreement. um There is a.

C

Municipal certification of authority, because it has to be legally accepted by by the city.

C

um We get half the money when we begin and then the other half of completion and there.

C

Is accountability we have to you know, let them know what we're doing and when we're we are.

C

Doing it and so um and I guess that's all I would have to say, but I know that suzanne woodland is.

C

Is far more capable of talking about the nuts and bolts and what to do with this? How the city.

C

Plays a role and so forth, then I would be so. The only thing I was going to add was that it won't.

A

Probably be official until official official until january. Sometime so, um and I did ask eva.

A

To work with suzanne um just to keep us surprised about where we are in the process of all that. But.

A

Suzanne has to do a lot of the work right now since she's or the official of it. So so first.

D

Off I am absolutely delighted I was over the moon when I found out that you had gotten the grant so.

D

We're all excited about that. I am literally this afternoon. I worked on the blurb that will go in.

D

The city council agenda for november 14th so that the city council can formally accept the.

D

Grant which is their step, and then we can sign the agreement which you have seen, which I've seen any.

D

Number of times in my 20 years here it's a similar form from the state for for many of their grants.

D

So we'll be able to sign those agreements, uh often short order. As soon as we get past, the 14th.

D

um The city is, we've had moose plate grant funds for other projects before so we kind of.

D

Know the process um so we'll you know, receive the money and the usual course account for it.

D

Separately as we do when we get grant funds and kind of work through the process, I think.

D

The next step, um after we kind of finish that process stuff, is that we'll be back.

D

Working with the department of public works and the contractor make sure the contractor.

D

Is willing to hold the price or if we need to go solicit, some additional quotes. Some updated quotes.

D

And hopefully uh get the process underway, so I think it's it's great, so I you will see on the.

D

November 14th agenda a blurb for them to accept the grant that you all work so hard to get and.

A

Did peter rice, moan and groan when you let him know he got it another project on his plate.

D

No, he did not. I confirmed that you know the funds are still there, because I thought the city council.

D

Would want to know we have the you know the funds that we thought we would add to the 20.

D

000 to finish the first phase of the work so yeah, you know I was being somewhat physician.

A

But he's been, he has been really supportive of us, so I feel bad because I'm sure there are a ton of.

A

People adding more projects to his list, so um any questions about the grant. Congratulations.

A

Oh and I did want to point out which there were 29 applications, only 13 people got them and we were.

A

One of them- and we were also the only cemetery, so my thought is um that may be to our advantage.

A

Going forward that people there were libraries and they were most houses and right old school.

A

Houses and things so I know that the state is interested in focusing on cemeteries, so.

A

We may be at the right place at the right time going forward so and do you.

C

And do you live for this.

C

To submit something every year and we can just go search for my section of the mall and and get.

C

It done yeah, that's perfect, so people are very approachable up there. They're they're, very nice.

C

People with state historic resources, very nice yeah, so that we're going to move on to the rack.

A

Card, I know there was some updates. So again it's eva on that. So I've come through town.

C

And most of the time, I've been told that you can't they will not allow us to display things.

C

um I I think I should give a plug to the sheraton and the residence inn, because.

C

They didn't turn me down completely. What they did say was that they would take them.

C

They couldn't display them, but they were willing to put them behind the counter and.

C

As people came in, they would give them to them, and I said I'll, take it I'll take it.

C

um I learned a lot like the hilton owns the hampton inn, which I didn't know. um I've got.

C

A number of manager, cards and corporate cards to call so you know they- they didn't say flat.

C

No, except to say you know we they check us, we're we're not allowed to do this, and but if you want.

C

To you know, call this in that person, so um so I will do that and celeste, I'm so glad you're.

C

Here, because I know that one time you said at a meeting, there was some place that you saw that had.

C

Rack cards or something like it and I didn't run across it. So I was hoping you would remember so.

E

um Kathy van salon, which is locally owned by uh the well, if you're ever in there, young woman emma.

E

um They always have local stuff posted, so I'm sure she would be amenable to if we had a rap.

E

Card or if we wanted to post a something where you can there's one up or and then there's an.

E

Extra one underneath so you could take the one that's on top okay, um but there's always stuff.

E

From the wrap, there's always stuff from just all events going on, she is very good about that and.

E

She loves people, okay, all sorts of things. Okay, I really thought I would um stop in there and and.

C

Also, I thought I would just go: introduce myself to joa joanna kelly over a cup of coffee and see.

C

If she had any ideas her, you know her reach is different than ours. So so I will do that.

C

um In terms, oh sorry, no go right ahead, you might also try um and then the may sunday.

E

There, the other they're also locally owned, and I know they always have the uh like ports with maps.

E

And they're, always in there working yeah, okay and they have those ports of the ports with maps like.

E

The animated ones right, so that might be some place, wonderful thing, anybody think of anything.

C

Send me an email or I mean I'll go I just you know. I just need to know, also ask the musical.

C

I did not ask the muse a call, um and that's also that's a good suggestion.

C

um I think monty is still head of uh their now, um so um one of the places asked me you know I.

C

Have it on my phone, and I said I can show you a picture and and the guy that actually it was.

C

Two young women said you know, we'd really like to see it, and um uh this was at ac. The ac yeah.

C

And they, I also have a card to call their people, but they thought that if I had something to show.

C

um That the the area, the district manager, was a good guy and might make an exception.

C

So I talked to stephanie about about ordering them and what it would cost and she said it depending.

C

On how many you order, that's what it costs, and so I thought well I'll just go online and see.

C

What the local places are charging so, for example, for a two-sided card and a lot of it depends on.

C

Do you want a matte finish? Do you want a glossy finish all that stuff for a two-sided card in.

C

One place on islington, it was, uh if you ordered 250, it was 110, but if you ordered 500, it was 140.

C

So you know the more you order, the better you price you get so I I would love to orders.

C

Some, why don't you leave that in in my hands? Okay, okay, I just think it. I think it's time.

C

A good criterion: oh go ahead! Oh sorry, oh, have we settled on a design because I know the first one.

E

Was something that was just right? I'm gonna, you know I'll get to that. If that's a yeah.

B

A good criteria on the amount that you should order to get.

B

Take advantage of this economy of scales is how often the information changes like our information.

B

Is probably not going to change that, often right, so if it doesn't, then you feel a lot more.

B

Comfortable ordering larger, you know quantities, so the 500 would be good, but the city probably.

B

Has a an arrangement they'll do better than me looking online, I think so we we had put some.

C

Changes in some wording, changes and things like that and stephanie took care of that. So the new.

C

um I mean I can email you, you know what it looks like it looks similar, but the wording changes.

C

She made the one thing that I I wanted to ask you about and again I'm not. It may be that I I missed.

C

It but the card still has the african-american burial ground on it and I'm yes, that's okay.

D

The people I've talked to so far uh all thought that was really lovely to include excellent. That.

D

And so I'm just waiting to hear back from one hour. Okay, so hopefully that'll be in the near term. In.

D

Which case and then we can talk about getting the only thing now I every place that I went into.

C

I talked about what we were doing and I told the people behind the counter. You should walk.

C

Over and see it and you know all the stone cleaning and all that stuff and they were all.

C

Very you know they're very nice. I mean nobody was rude or anything like that, but they do.

C

They do want to maintain a certain look in a lot of places so um but uh but as I said,.

C

A couple of people asked me what they were going to look like, and I would really love.

C

To have something to handle yeah and that's just great and again, if anybody thinks of any.

C

You know I'll go, I just you know, I just don't always I'm not as connected. I stay home alive.

C

My only question is- and this may totally date me because I haven't stayed in a hotel in a.

A

While well, I didn't dc, but no we stayed oh everybody's going to airbnbs. Aren't they.

E

Airbnb is kind of like on the way out, because they've got a whole fiasco with their cleaning.

E

Fees now, oh, it's cheaper to stay in a hotel than an airbnb, oh because they want you to clean and.

E

Then they tap on like a 200 service cleaning, so you wouldn't have stayed there. Then you're right.

A

um Back um you know when you, you are checking into the room a lot of times in those bedside.

A

Stands or even on top of them, they would have like that's like seacoast local. You know similar.

A

Brochures or something like that, I don't know if that's still something where we're a city.

A

Organization, um they might be interested. I did ask about you, know putting some near the.

C

Elevators and things like that and and I was told unequivocal unequivocably no.

C

um But I didn't ask about the rooms, but I so I think that's so I mean I don't know menus and the.

C

All that stuff in the drawer and a lot of them do oh well, there's a standardized one. I can't.

A

Remember the name of it, but you know it looks like the one we have in town seacoast, something.

A

Area, it has all the local stuff in there and they put those so I'll ask. Maybe I can, but even even.

C

The one when we come in the door here is is not without our reach. It's managed. That's one.

C

Of those you have to pay to have it managed blah blah blah so, but I don't think that's any reason.

C

Not to move forward with the places that have said they would take them. Oh yeah, any any neuron.

A

Yeah, so uh just to summarize, I think, we're oh we're. Just gonna wait to hear back from the last.

A

um Person that would be involved with the black memorial um and then and a pricing for.

D

If it's given this, I mean it's, I would expect that we can find the funds to print an initial.

D

Stack so you could get distributing them and see what feedback you get right. You know. That's.

A

Something that could come out of the trust I mean, I don't know how much we have. We might be able.

D

To find it from somewhere else, so yeah um I'll work on that. Thank you so much yeah, okay, welcome.

A

Everyone thank you, eva for all that work and again it will come to fruition quite soon. Hopefully,.

A

um I don't know about the rest of you, but I said in front of one of the committees, the.

A

Other day, like I felt like this whole past year has been like I'm in a college class.

A

For city government and how it's run 101 and I still don't feel I have a better knowledge but.

A

There are always exceptions to everything, so um you know I, I think we're way better.

A

At this point too, because we have a better idea of how things move, how fast they go and.

A

I feel more connected to the city at this point so which is, I think, to our advantage so.

A

I mean all of us should feel more connected. All right. I want to skip.

A

The rsa put that at the end, because that might take a little while to talk about.

A

um Update on point of grace testing, I didn't know if peter rice had. I know he was looking to send.

A

Out notices, how far we were in that process, we're still working with the engineering firm on that.

D

Because we're trying to make sure that where we, you know because the archaeological sensitivity.

D

So that's still being worked on so, okay, all right, but it's being worked on. So that was good.

A

um Which quickly, when she mentioned archaeologists, I've been trying to get a hold of the state.

A

Archaeologists and I don't know between emails and phone calls, I have not heard anything back from.

A

Him in regards to repairing headstones they're, not in their building, because they were flooded out in.

A

August and then they got that fixed and realized that their hvc system was like beyond repair. So.

A

They have been working remotely for quite a while, and so I don't know if that's affected.

A

um Service or not, so um I think I am going to try to get a whole our text amy and find out.

A

Because they're in that same world, if, if he's been out sick or whatever, but I haven't, received.

A

Any responses back so sign for cemeteries on south street that was michael. He could not make it today.

A

The salem charter cemetery, or, I should say, charter cemetery in salem.

A

Is I didn't look, was it new hampshire or mass? Did anybody happen to know.

C

Actually in massachusetts was it massachusetts. I just realized that um the.

A

um You know for us to talk about signs for our cemeteries. um I had a meeting a couple.

A

Days ago, with suzanne and bob sullivan and in that conversation arose the.

A

Well, he he had said that they had already been purchased, but regardless um you know.

A

The thought of putting um the dog signs with the waist um bags in it and the containers that.

A

You know that is something that we consider the law that says you know you must we want to post.

A

You must pick up after your dog, but definitely bob is um doesn't particularly want to have to.

A

Post a sign that says no dogs allowed because of the um you know. We are that kind of city where.

A

You can't go any place and you don't see dogs on a leash and some people having two.

A

Or three that are not dog walkers, so we are a very dog friendly city.

A

um But you know like prescott park, I mean there are places in some of the pocket parks right and.

A

Even up in off the south and sagamore, that's been posted for a number of years and I don't but again.

A

Most of those are private cemeteries in there, so I don't know if they ever received any complaints.

A

Or not about when they first posted it, but I do remember before they posted you could go in.

A

There and it did look like a dog park depending on what time of day it was free roaming dogs all over.

A

The place you know throwing balls and it wasn't just walking leashed dogs so which is kind of.

A

Nice, when I think about it now when because I do walk through there, I live right next to it.

A

um Not having not worrying about a dog coming from a direction that you didn't see, so I mean.

A

Everyone doesn't like dogs that aren't leashed, you know so so yeah. So so one suggestion that.

D

That we thought of is is maybe what we could do with some in you know some signage.

D

um To remind people of the rules see if we got you know, we may have some extra of those.

D

Bag containers- I don't remember if actually the pierce island committee might have fundraised.

D

Or they may have come from somewhere else, but we could put some more signage in the.

D

First instance, even just reminding people that they're required to pick up their dog waste.

D

um So I talked to you know peter rice, and if we're going to move forward with a recommendation from.

D

This committee, to to explore some signage, I would take that to the city manager and.

D

Say this is the recommendation coming out of the committee, and you know he thought it'd be a couple.

D

Weeks to 30 days to you know, do some signage, um because we'd also talked about the dawn to dusk.

D

um Which again, I was just kind of waiting until I got a formal recommendation I'll take it up to to.

D

The city manager and see if she would like public works to to implement that. um I think if, if you're.

D

Going to talk about, um if the recommendation from this committee would be to limit dogs in the.

D

Cemeteries then I would expect the city manager would want the city council to actually make that.

D

Decision because it is a dog, friendly community and and there's a lot of sensitivity in terms of.

D

Where people you know people have strong views. So that's why maybe uh interim step is maybe a.

D

Little more signage, reminding people of their obligations that it's a sacred space. Could you.

D

If you bring your dog, please make sure that you pick up waste as required by law and a.

D

Leash law too right, yeah, exactly and and dogs should remain on leash. So we could. We could.

D

Try that step first and see if there's any effectiveness to more education.

D

So I'm just throwing that out there, for you to kind of you know think about peter thought. He.

D

Has enough money in the in the budget that he could do some more signage if the city manager.

D

Wanted to implement a recommendation from this committee to add a little more signage.

D

To try and encourage the kind of respect that you that we're all looking for so.

A

um My question would be: um I only noticed it. um The dog waste problem at.

A

Union and north, but I guess thinking about it, we probably should be consistent in the the.

A

Three in town ones, or the four actually the north union pleasant street, because.

A

I do see a lot of dogs walk through there when I've been there and I've never noticed.

A

It at point of graves, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. So I guess I my.

A

Motion- I'd, oh well, do we have do we really have to do a, or can we just talk about it as far as.

A

um What other people think I would suggest you know signs for those three or four cemeteries.

A

One about dog leash and picking up dog waste and posting um dawn. I mean dust to dawn.

A

As an inexpensive way at this point in time to see how how it works out and see, especially if the.

A

Vandalism and the waste in the ones right downtown goes down if it has some effect on that, and also.

A

What gets some police feedback since they do monitor um the downtown cemeteries for vandalism.

A

I'm not so much you know, worried about, you know, arresting anybody for not picking up dog waste.

A

But the vandalism part. um So if anybody have any, I like the idea of starting with.

F

Putting the rules out there first, you know, probably realistically we can't ban dogs. We.

F

Can ask them ask them right holders at the dawn to uh like that too. um You know again, why don't you.

D

Make that emotion she we've got, carry motioning to create some signage with those elements so.

F

I've just said it for you.

D

Yep, a nice second yeah. I think that approve or for it there you go, I mean, what's the.

E

What's the, why are we putting the dawn to dusk, like what's the reasoning behind that.

E

Because of the vandalism that usually occurs most down in, do you think a sign is going to.

E

Stop people who want to be in vandals no, but it gives the police a leg to stand on.

A

um I mean other than the crime they're already committing. You know if they're committing a.

E

Crime and someone's in there and they say hey, you know, stop doing that. No exactly! It seems like this.

E

Finger wave of like don't be in here after gas, even though I mean most of the time, people are.

E

Just walking through the cemetery I mean, I know I've spent lots of time again walking through.

E

You know the cemeters of south cemetery, just it's the evening. It's a nice time to walk and telling.

E

People for a third of the year they can't be in there after four it's a little. I mean it takes.

E

Away a large portion of the time that people enjoy spending in there um in the dark yeah is.

E

It lit, can you bring a flashlight, you go for a walk, I mean what do you? What, if you want to.

E

Go for a walk in the evening and it's you live on streets that don't have sidewalks or it's dark. You.

E

Bring a flashlight it's no different than going out for a walk, but nice, I don't mind cemeteries.

B

But walking them at night is not something that I would if it's not you personally, but I think.

E

That there are a lot of people in the sound that do different little noise [laughter] by that and.

E

uh You know the the dog leashing if you want to have a dog sound like she's. That's that's fine! I.

E

Think a lot of people assume it's an off-leash area. So that's! Why? Because there's never been.

E

A sign saying you have to lose your dog here, so a lot of people think oh, this is a great place.

E

I can go with the kids, I want my dog run around and have a picnic and take a walk right. The the.

A

um Reasoning behind the dust I mean yeah dust to dawn, there's no real, inexpensive or feasible.

A

Way to try at least try to discourage vandalism in cemeteries. In general, we have had a lot of people.

A

Go before the city council and I don't know about phone calls asking for actual surveillance cameras.

A

um Which again isn't going to unnecessarily? It was in lots of places in town and if there.

E

Was a sign there of it? It's not going to stop anyone from tagging, something you know.

E

Yeah, you know if the bridge that's over um across from cvs. I know the little train bridge.

E

Area, that's constantly being tagged and I don't think any number of signs being put there aside.

E

From now under surveillance would stop people from tagging it right. I I don't disagree with your line.

A

Of thought, however, we have to consider people that would like to have something at least in place.

A

To try to prevent vandalism within the cemetery, especially on that backside because of.

A

It is help-mounded, so you know just police writing by just in their regular roots. Isn't enough to.

A

Even I guess persuade anybody from going in if it was that simple, it would be easier, but.

B

The point is that those kind of signs are already in use of the city in several other places. Is that.

B

Correct susan, um I don't know if we have dawn to dusk in other places. We might. I will say this. I.

D

Think the the thought was is that the if the police then notice folks hanging around at 10.

D

O'clock at night, even if they're not visualizing, something otherwise unlawful, like you know, using.

D

Illegal substances or something they would have the authority to say, hey look. This is.

D

Posted dawn to dusk, you know you need to leave, so it would allowed them to move them on. I mean.

E

Then why not have a sign after midnight? You know, because I mean you are taking something away from.

E

The citizens of the city by saying you can't go in here after death, because I mean it's it's dark at.

E

Four for a quarter of the year, you know it's it's you're and I think that you know you can wander.

E

On strawberry bank, in the middle of night you can wander around town, we don't have any curfew.

A

Oh, you, can you not you personally, I yeah, I mean some people saying.

A

Well, we did just vote well, you could, you could amend it instead of saying dusk, you could put a.

D

Time in you could put eight or nine pm or whatever it like. I said, and I'm gonna just take whatever.

D

Recommendation, you have, and I will bring it up to the city, manager and and peter and probably.

D

The police, chief and just say: okay, here's the recommendation, because we're concerned they were.

D

Concerned about x, y and z and doesn't pierce island have a qualification on their time like.

E

After october, something after 8 p.m, no one's allowed to be over there. I don't uh I'm there.

D

May well be signage, I don't know it off the top of my head, but I I think they're or there used.

E

To be something, that's not dissimilar from that, after a certain time of year, after a certain hour.

E

No trespassing well, I think people would probably ignore.

F

Ignored to take a walk, but that isn't a reason not to put one up.

E

Yeah I mean that would discourage lawful people, but it won't discourage unlawful people.

F

But but I still think it's a not a bad idea to put it in.

F

Yeah people who tag things are gonna to egg and you could say no tagging but don't tag.

F

But exactly so then, if they're going to do it regardless, then, what's the point of having a sign.

F

Yeah, I I don't think I don't think that the people are going to violate it as a reason not to have it.

F

That's my opinion. I think I think it's a positive appearance that we're trying to do. I mean.

A

Legitimately we are trying to do something, so I I think, just on that basis alone, that.

A

Signs are not going to hurt anybody and again, if they're, not working, then we can always take them.

A

Down or rearrange them. But I also to suzanne's point and because I spoke to lieutenant, who did.

A

I say it was uh anyway. I spoke to one of the lieutenants and they used discretion. I.

A

Mean that's what he had said, because there were other things that they do outside of cemeteries.

A

They can give warnings if they think it's just a warning is needed, but within the cemetery, because.

A

It's public or city-owned- I guess city-owned, um that they can still use discretion. So if you and.

A

Your dog and somebody else were walking through the cemetery at nine o'clock at night and it's.

A

Apparent that you're, just you, know, walking your dog because it's a nice night out they're, not.

A

Going to hassle you about it, but if you have a sign now it says close at dusk, then that means.

E

That those lawful people that want to take that weap are not going to be there anymore.

B

hmm I don't think that that I don't think I've seen anybody.

B

Or known of anybody that logos late especially to the north cemetery.

B

um Just this one cemetery: well, maybe that's the area that we did assigned yeah what I've.

D

Got for the for the motion that I basically got one two, three, four, five, six! Seven, yes is one.

D

No right now it was a motion to recommend signage for union north pleasant point of graves.

D

Reminder to about leash law reminder law to pick up your waste, we'll find a nice way to say it.

D

um Yeah, thank you particularly because it's a sacred space. Yes,.

D

um And don't you know, basically it's daytime use dawn to dusk.

D

That's what I've got right now, so it's limited to those four which kind of.

D

I think that's the that's what you got right now.

D

And again it's a recommendation of if, if the city manager or the or the chief or.

D

Anyone has pushback on the recommendation, obviously I'll report that back to you and.

D

um But that's why I checked with peter like how hard is it to make a sign? What do you.

D

Think I gave him some examples he's like yeah. We could probably do that in a couple weeks.

D

So if the city manager approves- and she may want to get the thoughts of the pd.

A

I I guess, from my perspective, thinking.

A

I don't have a problem with putting a time on it, I mean middle of summer and it's 90 degrees out.

A

And somebody wants to walk through the cemetery by before nine or nine pm. I I guess I don't have.

A

Well, it's not even really that dark then, but but I mean during the course of the year nine nine pm.

A

What is it I could see that you know not discouraging people to go through.

A

Even though the you know, because I know me, I'd walk through it anyway, but just like you.

A

Said you know if it was a hot night or whatever I, especially because our cemeteries are all on water.

A

um Get a breeze, I guess I wouldn't have a problem with putting a time like 9 pm, but.

A

I again it's sort of the same principle. People are going to ignore that too. So.

A

I think the common all over the country is pretty much done. I dusted on.

A

um And again we can try it and if it doesn't, if we get trust me we'll get.

A

The city will get complaints if they think it's unreasonable people. It's ineffective.

A

Right, if we're still getting a lot of vandal, more vandalism or the same amount of vandalism right.

E

Right, I yeah it could be a good starting point to see.

A

What effect we could have on the cemeteries to make them cleaner and.

A

um Less vandalized at this point in time, so especially since we're going to spend lots of.

A

Money on repairing headstones, so that would be counter-intuitive to not at least put something.

A

Up, so all right do we need to if what I'm going to record is seven in favor one opposed and reflect.

D

That there was a robust discussion for whether to set a time. Because of you know that that.

D

Cuspy hour of evening and and see how it goes, and so that would be the do, you have to play.

F

I have to go yeah yeah. Will there be a meeting uh in december yep? Okay, okay, since we're so.

A

Early in the month, I don't have it right in front of me whatever that first thursday yeah.

A

Let's plan for next one: okay, thank you! It's the 2nd of december 2nd of december sorry, first, first.

D

um All right so we've we've got a recommendation, recommendations or back yeah.

A

um The website to fundraise I put that on there um suzanne pointed out to me again, because I can.

A

Be impatient, [laughter] january uh a new technical person for the it is coming on and she will have.

A

More um not say so, but what is going to redo, not redo, she's, going to review the department.

A

Review request and all of that and then get back to everybody on what you know we can.

A

And can't do online so, but I did learn. I did not know this- that the 400th um committee.

A

Even though it does appear on the city site is a non-profit, so I did not know that so they can.

A

Post all over the place because their their own entity, so I was under the impression that.

A

It was a city sponsored committee, type thing so that I learned- and I will wait until after that.

A

I'll wait till february to give the new person a chance to figure out. What's what um so and one.

A

Last thing before we go on to the chart um the rsi um I was in touch with nick cracknell and.

A

um The clg application has been completed, but it's going they're having another meeting next week and.

A

It's going to go: have the discussion with the hdc they've all had a chance to read it and see? What's.

A

You know what the value of it is, so that will be next week and then um then, if they pass it they'll.

A

Make the recommendations- and it will go on to city council, so it may it possibly could go in december.

A

Before city council to get approved, and that will open the door for us to have more advice and.

A

Grant writers and things like that, so um that's in progress and that and that application was.

A

Like 65 pages, both sides it's enormous, so it was a big project that they had to do it and.

A

Totally appreciate the fact that they were willing to do it so because it does have.

A

Some requirements for planning to kick back up, not kickbacks, that's the wrong words. All.

A

Right to have reports to do reports annually to the state which they don't have to do now.

A

So it will be a commitment on their part too, as well as getting more help in the historic.

A

Preservation realm, so that's it so um the review of the state's rsa 289, I don't know.

A

If you all had a chance at least to look at it and see what we're talking about as far as.

A

What this conversation is about that the state actually has 23.

A

Is that the 289 is the statue and it's like 289 one? What do they call? That is that still a statue.

A

um Under 2 chapter 289, there are 23 statutes for cemeteries in the state of new hampshire.

A

If you didn't get a chance to read, it um lays out.

A

The minimum of what towns all towns and cities should be doing in in.

A

The genre of cemeteries and keeping them up and records, and things like that, we.

A

We do have a a place where the city manager is technically responsible for the cemeteries in our.

A

City and with some sort of committee underneath her to advise her, which is us but we're we're new.

A

So um when I taught I spoke with suzanne and bob sullivan the other day after I had spoken at the.

A

Governance committee and bob asked me outright what I was looking to do or the committee to.

A

Do and I answered him but having more time to think about it or in over a hundred plus years.

A

The city with all the research I've done as far as the cemeteries has never had a group of people.

A

Devoted to making sure that our cemeteries are up to snuff just physically, which is why it's.

A

Costing us so much money to bring to restore them at this point in time. My personal opinion.

A

Is I mean the city manager there's no way a city manager can keep track without having a formal.

A

um Committee, underneath that uh you know to advise her, we we have the way our committee is written up.

A

um Right now is you know at the end of two years, we have to be accepted again.

A

From the new city council, which I mean every council may always accept us, but I'm.

A

Always looking at the whole picture, not just right now, um so I I guess my vision is that.

A

Once these cemeteries are restored in the next five or six years that there is a formal.

A

Well-Known cemetery committee, however, they want to do it, but it has to be formalized so that.

A

Not just the city knows about it, but also the community that that's how we got where we are.

A

Now because no one has ever put the two and I'm not blaming anybody, it's just how life has been.

A

But going forward, that's what I'm really looking to do and that um in here there is an rsa that.

A

Talks about all the cemeteries should be supplying copies of their uh burial records to the city, to.

A

Be kept in an archive which has never the best of my knowledge has not ever happened, because.

A

I went looking for records and stuff like that for other projects and the city doesn't have any.

A

um And they're not always accessible through some of the cemeteries, for whatever reason you.

A

Know so I guess the two big um and it's then the town should either have its own public.

A

Cemetery or have an agreement with another community to have uh residents of portsmouth.

A

Can buy plots there and be buried there, so those three main things are.

A

Super clear or enforced at this point in time, so my thought is: let's start with some of the.

A

Larger ones and see give them to bob sullivan and suzanne um and see where they land with the.

A

um City manager, that's going to call karen, but he's a city manager and start chipping away at.

A

What we can end up with as a well-established or going forward and established committee to.

A

Take care of the work that we were putting into it right now, so are there permanent committees? I mean.

F

Here, so let me just clarify a few things, so this is a committee. That's a standing.

D

Committee now in the city ordinances, so I'm going to just pick up on a thread here which is.

D

If, in looking at the powers and scope of your current charge, your mission that you all worked on.

D

At the beginning, you know well, some of you worked on early on if you feel that needs to be expanded,.

D

To deal with some of these issues, then that might be one avenue. I will say that what we represented.

D

To susan earlier this week when she came in and we were kind of noodling this out with um with.

D

Others is that, to the extent that the city has not historically chased down, people for records.

D

That we would be willing to make that effort and maybe if the communications come from legal.

D

That that would get the attention of those who maybe haven't produced records.

D

um To comply with that law, so that was one of the items that the legal department was.

D

Willing to undertake, particularly since um susan, I don't know who else she's been working with here.

D

Has been working with our alan brady and the gentleman in kittery to develop this database.

D

So that it will be once we get these records they're, actually a lot more accessible, so that.

D

Is a is a in terms of the records we agreed with susan, that, if we don't have you know if there are.

D

Records that are incomplete because the library has a bunch of records but they're incomplete.

D

And and so right, because that's where you've got some of the original information, I don't know how.

B

It feels that they aren't the former ones if the three people that I've been working on it, they.

A

Just did it on their own, so we don't have any copies of any official uh records, because what.

D

We're may not get much official given the age of these, so oh yeah! No, but I mean going forward just.

A

In in general, the um you know, a lot of headstones are missing that kind of thing so having records.

A

Would help you know, fill in the gaps, and things like that, so legal is committed to following up.

D

To see if we could shake out any of those records, so that's item one yeah right, yep and we're going.

F

To be seeking um we'll be writing to the private. A lot of this is the the private property owners.

D

Yeah, no not to the funeral homes but to, although I didn't think about that, they might have records.

D

You would think, um although they may, I don't know if they'll have the actual burial plot, but that's.

D

A good question: I don't know if they would, if they had the statutory authority to release them, but I.

D

Know some of the information that we're looking for is for the privately held cemeteries, where.

D

Information has not been maybe as forthcoming as people are looking for, so that will be kind.

D

Of step one and if they think we're wrong on what the law requires, then they will let us know, but I.

D

Would think the committee contains more visibility? You know you probably get more cooperation.

D

Well, certainly, the committee can can ask absolutely yeah. I have a question.

B

Yeah now the sierra say deals mostly with historic, cemeteries or just cemeteries in.

B

General cemeteries, all right, so there's two categories: here you have what is happening.

B

Now, in all the burial grounds to cover you know, people that are being buried.

B

In recent times- and you also have a historic branch of it, which pertains that.

B

uh The ongoing thing is something that the town needs to have some sort of way of dealing.

B

With that, I thought that this committee was mostly focused in his on the historic part.

B

So if there is like two different paths here I'll just I just need to be clear about it, because it's.

B

Like we can't manage everything that's going on today as far as maintaining all of the different.

B

Cemeteries on who's being buried here, who's being buried there. I thought we were just going to focus.

B

On the historic side of it, uh but will you raise a good point, keep keeping keep in mind the city.

D

Is responsible for meeting its obligations and traditionally- and this is something.

D

We talked about as there have been informal understandings and agreements, so I would say.

D

Until recently generally, when people had inquiries and needed either, you know burial spots or wanted.

D

Information who were doing genealogy, we would just refer them to the appropriate contact people.

D

In the cemeteries that are not ours, you know for the more you know really. Recent.

D

Ones and generally we did not hear back so they were satisfied with whatever they were.

D

Getting either from the catholic church or from others, the city does have a small piece of land.

D

For indigent burials and we have had a fairly long-standing working relationship with the.

D

Catholic church, in terms of managing that, I think the thing is, the conditions are.

D

Changing because there aren't as many spaces now and I think that's what we're rubbing up.

D

Against is that the more informal you know the city has not been in really the business of.

D

Cemeteries so to speak other than from a historic perspective for years.

D

um And it seems like, based on what susan has been hearing from kind of others. Is that.

D

Things are changing and we're not getting the level of kind of cooperation and communication.

D

Across the fronts that we used to in terms of hey, a resident is looking for. We refer them.

D

And whether it's looking for a burial site or looking for information.

D

For genealogy or other purposes, and that informal relationship, at least among at least one.

D

Area has has broken down, it seems, and so that's a lot of the nub of what.

D

We're getting at is that what was working doesn't seem to be working anymore. So we'll.

D

I think that this group was set up to fill part of that requirement into looking into the historic.

B

Side of it, but looking into whatever every day happens and what needs to happen. As some of the.

B

Cemeteries get fuller, I tell you what happens in place like puerto rico, germany, austria, the.

B

Cemeteries are full, there are several people that are buried in the same grave because they have to.

B

Keep hearing people together, you know that's not a decision that I mean as far away as that decision.

B

Can be made that this group can make for the city the city will have to find a way to you know deal.

B

With a board or a group that is designed for that kind of thing, I thought we're just going to be.

B

Make sure that we know who's buried there, those private little cemeteries, that I've.

B

Been around for 150 years and not overlooked um that that, certainly, I guess I would ask.

A

I I don't know that historic is written into the the title of our. I think it is.

A

I I don't think it really makes yeah. I don't think it really makes a difference. I don't.

A

um I personally think we can do both becoming in line with rsas. It's not us doing it. It's us.

A

um Questioning it and asking what can be done or has to be done it it's not going.

A

To be our decision, it's just going to be presented to the people that need to be.

A

Aware of it, that's our position, so it's not going to impact us on. We would never.

A

You know go out and look for sites for a new burial ground, but I did look up the.

A

Other night and it and one acre of digable land will hold 1 100. I mean 1450 bodies.

B

And if that really desperate, you can arrange it, so you can get even more and there are business.

A

Plans out there how to start your own cemetery, but um so that that's not going to be our preview. Our.

B

Yeah, the preview is this story, observatories I did that. That's what I thought you know I I don't.

A

Know are you saying you don't want to review, get into this review of what to do and not to do type.

A

Things we need to, but the final outcome is to find out where our lane is and what the city's lane is.

B

You know well, this is what this is. That would be part. Am I looking at it the wrong way that this.

A

Would not clear up some of that? I, I think you've done a good job, identifying some things that we.

D

Are willing to work on from the city perspective whether or not you want to formally expand or not.

D

Your you know current mission, but I think frankly, this conversation alone that we had at.

D

The beginning of the week and that we're having now is good, a good conversation to have, and so.

D

I've got my follow-up items and I think that is a good start and I guess we could see where.

D

That goes and then the committee could decide whether you know that's satisfactory or whether.

D

There's value in something else, but this is a standing committee and I think that's a good thing.

D

um When you say when you say standing, what does that mean? I I mean when I read, you know.

A

Every two years we have to be we whatever it is. We have to do like the other committees. You.

A

Know one one year to you, know the staggered being reappointed or putting new people in.

A

I don't see how that equates to that, or I'm not sure so so this committee exists under.

D

The ordinance and really it's appointments that would need to be made in accord with.

D

The ordinance now, if you want to look at changing the way the appointments are made.

D

Like to suggest say longer terms and a stagger, I think that would be something that would be if.

D

You think that would be helpful to have either longer terms and and put in a stagger. We kind.

D

Of worked with what was delivered, shall we say in the legal department um several years ago.

D

And and said, okay, this is what you want: well good enough, it'll work and but that doesn't.

D

Mean, as you have you know, come together, if you think that there is a recommendation to be made.

D

For well we don't we think it's concerning that we're all you know would have to reapply.

D

At the end of not this year, but the following year- or I don't know- I have to check on your term- ends.

D

I don't remember it says concurrent two years: uh every two years I think, was what the wording is.

A

I'll have to they all started at the same time. So we'll probably yes, so we could definitely look at.

D

That yeah well because yeah again a government's day. It said we were the only ones that were you.

A

Know stated like that and they weren't sure. Why only because and I and that's what I said I said.

A

You know we were just created, it's just beginning forming and all of that and that's what it is and.

D

It might be really good to look at that because we talked about you know: do we need to change.

D

The forum amounts, so it's easier for you guys to make sure you make quorum and can you know.

D

Make your recommendations like you did today, so we could definitely look at that. I didn't.

D

Think to bring the ordinance down, but we could put that on the agenda for the next meeting is.

D

Let's pull it out and see: do we want to make some recommendations to the way the membership rolls.

D

Over right or the terms, I'm sure the governance committee would would entertain. You know.

D

Recommendations, if you wanted to to look at that part as well, because that's been something that.

D

They've been attentive to and the cable commission just went before them. You know not too long ago to.

D

Say they wanted to, you know, update their mission and responsibilities so um yeah do. Should I bring.

D

Copies of the ordinance down for the next meeting, and then we can kind of look at it.

A

Would make me feel that might be step step one and maybe I'll have some pieces to report back.

D

On the other pieces right uh well, I again, like I said I feel like we're in college. You know city.

A

Management 101., um the so because we're under an ordinance, we can't just be disbanded, correct, okay,.

A

Well, I you know, I know it happened in the past, so I'm just triple bells. I I was gonna say the.

D

City council can always go through the three readings process and do something different.

D

um And one of the things they could do different is, if you would like to change the stagger or the.

D

Length of term or the quorum, that is one of the things they could do. As far as I can tell people.

D

Are very impressed with the work that you've been doing so I'm. I know I'm fairly optimistic that if.

D

You had a reasonable recommendation to keep this a vibrant committee. I would expect it would be well.

D

Entertained, well I mean- and this is what this is all about- I just you know yeah. I I'd like us to.

A

Leave behind no matter, you know something more than that we just cleaned headstones and that.

A

You know that we get out there and people will want to join. The cemetery committee, be a part.

A

Of it and go forward now, that may only be my wish list, but that's where I'm coming from.

A

Sunny in cleaning headstones, I wouldn't either yeah. That's pretty impressive. Actually.

A

Great well and that's what this is the list I'm handing over or discussing with suzanne.

A

About what we present to the city for our progress report, if anybody thinks I've left something off.

A

Or incorrect you know email me, because it is five o'clock but um yeah is anybody? Have.

A

Any last minute concerns or want to bring up something real, quick to bring forward next time.

C

I just briefly, does anyone know it's, you know I've heard so a little about the 400 and what.

C

Is going on just I mean: are they out voting themselves? You need. I need to get out more so.

C

I I think I said I stay home a lot. I haven't seen anything but I haven't dover, where they've painted.

E

Things like the crosswalks and have signs everywhere, yeah yeah- I don't do anything for.

E

Portsmouth yeah, all I know is they have a big presence on their website and there is always.

A

A blurb in the seek in the newspaper for fundraising, but.

C

Other than that, I think I'm looking for about what so that's the same.

E

I haven't seen any events on facebook really or just so. It's so talking about social media, yeah.

A

It's uh their web page has a lot of whatever their website has a lot of stuff, but I'll have to I'll.

C

Have to make it a point to look then yeah thanks and I think that's the other thing with everything.

A

This city and uh or social lives. Now it's hard. We don't have one place to look for everything.

A

Anymore, everything is really spread out and if you don't ask and or even if you type in.

A

Something on your computer. You may not be typing in the right thing to get the information that you.

A

Want about the 400th so maybe getting forced by virginia, but it's not celebrated, and this is you.

C

Know, rhode, island or, of course it was in england, england right up a lot yeah all right, any other.

A

Any suggestions or I I need a motion to motion to adjourn all those in favor.

F

Thank you. Thank you all.