City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Cemetery Committee, 6 Oct 2022

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From YouTube: 10.6.2022 Cemetery Committee

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10.6.2022 Cemetery Committee

A

Good, okay, we officially started so we are started. Michael will start with you and michael griffin,.

B

Present so polydora here don margison here, eva boyce, dd forte, susan starry, chris benesick.

A

And then suzanne and donna donna sent all the um past minutes and notes it has everyone had.

A

A chance to review them just to yeah. I did give them the the okay on that.

A

So we have, we have to vote on that right. You can vote on them all. Yes,.

B

You have to make a motion to take a motion to improve the minutes and list them off.

B

I'll make a motion to approve the minutes, a second all, those in favor all right.

A

Thank you celeste. Sorry for that yeah. I have to learn how to look up there shout at us if.

A

You need anything or I want to say something: um I'm gonna do like city council meetings too.

A

And um I'm going to take the rack card and put it to the top if nobody minds, because.

A

It's been on our agenda for quite a while, and um we need to make some decisions on.

A

It the others shouldn't bog us down any. So if that's okay with everybody sure sure, okay, so.

A

um We do have the picture of the rap card if suzanne would be so. Nice is to put it up.

A

And you have copies at your so um levi, I'm just gonna. Let you go ahead and talk about.

A

It and then we can discuss it. Okay. Well, I learned a lot and I'll try to encapsulate.

C

And it is not as easy as I thought to put these things in places that I wanted to.

C

um In fact, I have a question for suzanne woodland. How do we get them downstairs?.

C

Is there do? Does the city fall under the aegis of the people? Do they have a contract with someone.

C

To put them in well, I believe we have a contract with someone for the rack, you mean that's right.

C

Out here I will put that on my list to find out. Okay, oh, it is okay, so that that brings me to the.

C

Whole idea that, if you want to put something uh in the um that, why can't I think of what I.

C

Mean you know the rest areas, yeah, that's what I mean the rest areas are steep things like that.

C

um I knew that there would be, I would have to get approval, but I didn't realize how complicated it.

C

Would be and that the state has a contract with two different firms to um supply you give them.

C

The rack card and they keep track of it and it costs money, and I I put the amount in there and.

C

You can look at it rather than go over. It is an exorbitant, but for a committee that.

C

You know is concerned about money it I my personal opinion is: I would love to see how.

C

It goes somewhere else for free before we start paying for it, but that's a committee decision.

C

Now, in terms of free, I did go to the chamber of commerce and they were absolutely wonderful. There.

C

um And I also they will take it, um they will, we can put them in the kiosk and the kiosk may.

C

Be closed but they said the the gentleman at the chamber of commerce said you could do me a favor.

C

Take everything off that has nothing to do with portsmouth and put yours on there. I could do that.

C

um And um the library will take them and the discover center will take them. So I went to all.

C

Those places- and that was no problem. um I had a very good talk with the man at the chamber.

C

And he, I can't say he said: don't try to put them in places in town, but.

C

He wasn't optimistic, he really he said places like colby's might take it. um Maybe the friendly.

C

Toast, but he said I really doubt are our members, especially in uh the high-end stores, that you.

C

Know charge a lot for something you could get a target for less would probably not want to take it.

C

So um and that so I reckon ordered, and I'm I'm hoping that you will tell me I I took a walk and.

C

I peeked in quite a few of the stores, and you know what they're really not set up at their counters.

C

For things like a rack card- they're, just not but um one of the ideas that I had that I wanted to.

C

Go to the hotels and and hampton didn't want it at their desk. But then I had another idea which.

C

Was as you go through the floors in these places, they always have like a table by the.

C

Elevator, you know the elevators and I said, oh I I think that would be great. So then I priced.

C

The uh there are acrylic wrap card holders that you can get on amazon and they're like 10, for.

C

35 dollars and I thought I'll just buy them if we elect to go forward I'll, just buy them myself and.

C

um I think it would be helpful in the the chamber. I wish I remembered his name. I apologize, but he.

C

Was a lovely man um that it would be better to go in with it in hand and say you know this is.

C

What it likes it is because there are very specific rules to put them in places that.

C

The state operates, you can't ask for money, you can't ask for members um and so um uh to.

C

Go into a corporate place, it seems to me uh they, you know they didn't want them in the.

C

At the desk, but I think I can talk them into putting them somewhere else even by the coffee.

C

Pot or something like that, so I think if I go in there and say I'll, give you a holder, and here they.

C

Are can I put them on each floor on those nice little tables that you've got by the the elevators.

C

I think I can make some headway with that. I can't hard to ask yeah thanks. um I have a suggestion. The.

A

Historic houses would probably be willing to um put them in there with a rack for free, okay,.

B

um The jackson house has a rack already in there in that little office area yeah. I'm warner house.

C

May also, but I bet they would take it. Oh is it they already have a rack yeah uh for sure. Okay,.

A

Oh for the state, but no that's right: they even will check into it yeah I'll, write myself a note.

B

Isn't that part of discover portsmouth, I I don't know what kind of you know.

A

Relationship, oh, is that me, are you that's all right, oh well,.

C

Now that's a great suggestion! Well! Well, I, when I went discovered portsmouth was very helpful and.

C

I just assumed: well, I never thought about the historic houses. That's a really good idea. The.

B

Warner um the moffat, lad house. I was just yes, my wife yeah they do they do. I know where it is yeah.

B

You've seen that one yeah okay, I'll I'll I'll, get to them next now some of them may be closed soon.

C

Yeah, but no that's right, yeah, but that, but that's all right if you get their permission at least you.

C

Know in the spring you can say here I am with my back yeah my rock cards in my little rack. That's.

B

When the majority of people would be up for that anyway, huh right walking around in february in.

B

The cemetery, many of the local hotels, have a place that you can put local stuff. Yes, you know, even as.

D

Not only in the downtown I mean the sheraton does um some of the new hotels dude that the.

D

Hotels over at the circle, more than likely do I didn't go down there either yeah, the roundabout.

B

Too, you know in this tourist places right, so they have. They used to have some things at the.

D

Camera you want to attract people that are coming in as visitors, but I I did go to the.

C

Supermarkets and I struck out there completely they don't they don't contract with the people.

C

That the state contracts with, but they contract with others and they were very, very unhelpful.

A

The uh I think you're gonna, find too about the marriott, since it's right across from north.

A

Cemetery yeah, I I will the only one I went to there was hampton, but I will go to the other ones.

A

um I think you're going to find- and I don't know this for sure- that's how it used to be.

A

That all the hotels I contracted out with other groups- and yes, I have no idea what the payment.

C

Is well at the end of them, they said. Well, we have to check with corporate we're, not you.

C

Know because you get some, you get a kid behind the counter and right and that's why so I I think if I.

C

Say that uh can we do do upstairs, you know on each floor? Can I put something I might be able to.

C

Bypass corporate well, my only suggestion is again because a million years ago, when my.

A

First daughter was only two years old. I did the route down in hampton and I worked for.

A

A specific company and they're even bigger now so, but that was a long time ago, she's, 36 or 37. Now so.

A

But I would find out from the hotel what company it is and find out what.

A

The names okay, if there is, I mean- and someone might say it's corporate, because.

A

I don't know- maybe it's at that level, now that their corporate is one that okay, yes,.

A

Because I know they'll they will take rack cards out if it hasn't been part of their.

A

um Their program right so because you pay for this or you used to pay for the slots.

A

Too, so if you were in the first lot, first row more money, second row, so that's a lot of stuff.

C

um Even at the chamber, all of those places that have rack cards they pay the chamber for that.

C

So I was a little disa. Yes, they pay oh, but they will take ours for free because it is portsmouth.

C

You know if the skiing places and stuff like that they pay the chamber and and so because.

C

It's portsmouth, they nicely said we'll we'll take it, so we don't have to pay there or the library.

C

Or discover portsmouth, so that's a start right um and you know, and that gets a lot of foot traffic.

C

um I was amazed that the guy said to me: I was there on a weekday and he said, and the day.

C

Before was a really beautiful day, and he said we had 40 people in here yesterday it was a weekday.

C

So I thought: well, that's pretty good yeah. So do you have some prices to start with, for the cost.

A

Of the car you know I have to tell you, I don't, and I had to admit that, but in the I never asked.

C

Stephanie, what it would cost? That's, okay! I never did I apologize, but I will find out. Okay, that's.

A

Fine, that's not an issue. I everybody saw a chance. I um fold up a couple dates for you to for this.

A

um For editing the um brochure I found the beginning dates of some of the cemeteries.

A

That don't aren't listed on any of the dates and also a correction of cotton cemetery.

A

um Cotton cemetery is in 1671, it's 17.

A

It's 17 21 wait a minute: oh cotton, 17, 21., okay, um elmwood was 1859.

A

um Point of graves is fine, um and I going forward, I mean we should start including hall cemetery. It.

A

Is part of our which century paul cemetery yeah? Where is that cemetery it's jammed in between.

A

um South and bracket street over by well just down the road and from here- and there is a right away.

A

To the back of it and it has been taken care of on and off by the city, but there are a number.

A

Of revolutionary people buried in there, as well as other citizens that were prominent like the.

A

Odians and stuff like that, so do you have a date for hall cemetery, um hall, cemetery, 1789.

C

And with um which are the ones that we should probably eliminate.

A

My question was uh for suzanne um the african bearing ground in the memorial park.

A

um I mean we really don't have anything to do with that and I I don't have a problem of.

A

Listing it here, but I'm just thinking we should reach out to somebody before we I'll take care.

E

Of that, okay, okay, look. I have a comment, um I don't know if we can address that, but on the on.

D

The heading over here discover the stories of patriots, preachers, political. It says who hunt.

D

Fort smith passed, I saw that too. I circled it that gives me the connotation of being.

D

Halloween or a ghost tour, or a ghost tour yeah now, if we can just eliminate that it will go and.

D

Philanthropist from portsmouth pass yeah. I would agree that the haunt I would agree with that too.

B

Just change it, seasonal and more. You know, entertainment, like a ghost tour.

A

So most people agree with that. Yes,.

C

I I agree with it I'm trying to think of a more compelling word.

C

I can see why she put in hot, because she was probably looking for something you put that in there.

D

I mean they found there from portsmouth early foundings uh or you can just say of portsmouth's path.

B

Right, I sort of like all those peas, it's sort of catching discover the.

B

Stories of patriots, preachers, politicians and philanthropists of portsmouth's path.

B

A

um So suzanne's going to check on. um Are they active again just so that the we are working.

E

On it, okay, um so susan is going to check about having the african barrier bearing ground on this.

A

Brochure which, again I have no problem with that, just don't want to speaking of it. Do they have.

B

um In their office there on fort pleasant, do they have any type of.

B

Displays do they do tours or anything like that. Yeah there are, there are tours.

E

um I think the black heritage trail and sac- I think they both maybe are points of of.

E

Contact for those tours, but I could get more information and and a rap card, would be nice.

A

In there, because there are a number of black families buried in our cemeteries, too yeah.

A

um So suzanne's going to do that, eva's gonna, you know I. I called a couple of places: printers.

C

There's one on islington, I called them, and I I don't have my notes in here. I know stephanie.

C

Can get it cheaper, which is what why I I didn't right that that's fine just so that we have a. I.

C

Know I know I got a price from them, but I don't have it that's? Okay, if the city can get it for.

A

Less money and good quality for us, then that's okay, probably already may have a contract with a.

D

Printer yeah yeah, we do have regular relationships and we do have some of our printers are actually.

E

Really good printers, so we may even be able to do it in-house, so I can explore that. Okay, thank you.

A

And so then is there anything else we should discuss about this before we go on to the next one.

A

I think we covered a lot yeah. Okay, I just oh yeah. Sorry thank you. Yeah.

E

um If you're gonna make edits, could you send me a clean version or a cleaner version and that.

E

Way when I kind of follow up on these couple of things, I'll have the latest and greatest.

C

Thank you. I will.

A

Great, thank you so much this. I know how much worth this. Well, we all don't.

A

Know how much work this was so, and it's a good start for getting our name out there.

A

um So, let's go on to deterrence, for vandalism in the cemeteries.

A

um I put this up at the top because, as we all know, there was damage done in union, uh north cemetery.

A

um A few people that I've run into on the streets and received some emails and about the situation.

A

Their first thought was putting in surveillance cameras for live ones to monitor. What's going on.

A

So what I did is, I talked to the police. Well, first, I talked to suzanne for two minutes and.

A

Peter rice was there, so we got peter rice and the legal together at one time and that's really not.

A

It's not it's not on the top of the list of helping deter vandalism in there and along.

A

With the cost, so then I went downstairs not that day, but I spoke to lieutenant.

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Small from the police department- and he said that they do go down there during the night.

A

Do they have three shifts a day for the police? I think they have three shifts that at night.

A

um If at all possible, they'll go down a couple times, but they definitely go down once a night.

A

He said that the police officers actually get out of the car and and walk that back strip where.

A

The problem seems to be, um he said, what would help them would be. The city has approached.

A

Richie and sean mahoney, the salt, pile people that are right there see what gsm right, yeah.

A

Sean mahoney, yeah mahoney's on it and um what they have gotten permission to do is there's.

A

Some sort of trespass like ticket so when they go down through there because they go all the.

A

Way through that road that eventually will be a greenway. They give out tickets to people.

A

And they judge, I don't know what the guidelines are saying. You know you're trespassing and then.

A

They put the notice back at the police station, so I didn't get into like if they go down and they.

A

Get three trespassing tickets, what happens but that's in place and he said that's been of value.

A

um Then I reported that to suzanne and we weren't sure that that's all privately and if we could do.

A

The same thing in the city, cemetery, so I'll yeah, so what we're yeah yeah! So what we're looking at.

E

Is maybe some just dawn to dusk signage, which I put on? Because that really sets up? People have.

E

Noticed right from the get-go um about what the conditions are and that will then allow the police.

E

To take whatever action they deem appropriate depending on, what's going on there, because people.

E

Aren't supposed to be there so we're looking into that it starts at like 4 p.m. In the winter time,.

E

Yeah, that's why it's usually dawn to dusk, because it's the darkness, which is the issue.

B

um Six and it's dark at four right right right. uh I put copies of signs in that.

A

Little package that you have so that's an an option where we're looking at right now.

E

um And I will confirm that we don't think cameras are the solution to this problem.

E

um We also talked about and trimming some of the um the bushes along the the one edge there, where.

E

You know it's just easier to um yeah, where it's easier to to be hidden, so to speak.

E

um So we're looking at all of those options and hopefully, by the time we hit the next.

E

Meeting I'll be able to give you a further report back, but we're exploring that and you.

E

Know we can do trespass notices, but it's a lot easier when you start with signage.

E

So we're looking at that and the other thing the police lieutenant said was.

A

They're always going to use discretion, they're not going to go in there and just it. Someone.

A

Happens to be walking around and it's obvious they're looking for a headstone or something and.

A

They're not there for mischievous reasons. They're, you know they might talk to them, but they're not.

A

Going to harass people going in and out that are there and again it would be after after sunset.

A

It wouldn't be anything prior to that, um because you all know I like looking for headstones at two.

B

In the morning my flashlights, well, I don't know we brought up. You know there are a lot of people.

A

That collect the things for a lot of different reasons. um So, while we're on the subject of.

A

Signage, I also included the no dog, no dogs in the cemetery. I don't know how we feel about.

A

If we're going to end up with too many signs, but I've been to north cemetery a lot lately.

A

And there's always their dogs in there a lot a lot, and there is also a lot of dog poop there. It's one.

A

Thing for your dog to come through and pee, but to not pick up after your dog, because it's a cemetery.

A

And also um my family and I cleaned um pleasant street graves on sunday, because that's where our.

A

Six great grandparents are buried, he fought in the revolutionary war, so I twisted my family's.

A

Arms with threats like I won't watch your kids. If you don't come and do this for me.

A

My grandkids came too: they were ages in a niece, a nephew they from 13 to me, and um they we did.

A

It in less than two and a half hours and the kids over cleaned. If anything else, I had to drag them.

A

Away from it's not going to be white today, just trust me you've, gotten everything off. It was like.

A

A magic show for some of them watching all this crime, so but my point was being in there. um I.

A

Feel like it, if we're going to put up cemetery um dusk to dawn, we should do it in the least those.

A

Three pleasant point of graves and and north and union, because I found beer bottles in their shots.

A

um There's always people walking their dogs through there whenever I'm there, it doesn't.

A

Make any difference we have like three different people walk through with dogs and one person did.

A

Let their dog go, but he did pick up after it. But I don't know if that was because we were there, but.

A

Anyway, so I I I don't know um something to think about and include the next time when we talk about.

A

Signs um for no tr, um not trespassing but dust to dawn and no dogs allowed in the cemetery. So.

A

And the other thing we might think about this for all cemeteries. I wouldn't do it.

A

For cotton and uh elmwood, because you already have signs posted up there, no dogs in there so.

A

um And it seems to have worked over the years. I rarely ever see a dog in there. I can't remember.

A

The last time I saw a dog in there and hall is buried in the back so and that needs to.

A

Be propped up first, so it would be those three um point of graves pleasant or for union and.

A

In north cemeteries- and my only other thing um with this is I went to the historic district.

A

Meeting last night, because two of our graveyards projects are going on on either side of them.

A

um And while I was there, the chairman is, I forgot his name, mr wyckoff. Is it john wyckoff.

A

Anyway, the chairman of the htc uh approached me afterwards. He lives on north mill pond and.

A

He highly recommended that if we weren't going to do real surveillance cameras that.

A

We should do the fake ones, so that was also brought to my attention that we can.

A

Discuss further on down and my only concern about surveillance cameras. Well, hey, there's! Nobody to.

A

Watch them nobody will, if they're real, but also if they get put up, they can be taken down by.

A

Anybody too, so that's just part something else to think about when we decide going forward yeah and.

B

I think it's signage and then the other issue is the fence in the southwest corner, which is.

B

uh Totally down now and open, so I gotta ride his bike through it today. Coming down that path for.

B

Them roll right into the graveyard with his bike and then headed down towards that receiving vault.

B

Where those benches are and was drinking so oh, he was drinking. Oh yeah, yeah. What time was this.

B

12 o'clock, 13 or 12 11 30., you know, do we have to post no alcohol, but they have those.

B

Benches right over there or something it's a nice nice day out today, maybe.

B

They should come having a malt liquor. You know I'm looking at the pond. You.

B

Know you're not supposed to drink in public right, isn't that already a law.

B

Yeah, you know of cans, but I think that fence in the back and obviously I know that there's you.

B

Know issues with the survey which we've talked about um be very big because that's just a point.

B

Of egress that no no one sees or monitors coming in from the train tracks, yeah, richie, lumber and.

B

That whole, you know for the encampments back there. We can run it past. um I can talk to karen about.

A

It and see who would fix that? That's not going to be in corns department. I'd have to find out.

A

That would be just dpw and facilities right to fix that yeah you're not like putting up.

E

Very easy edifice: yeah very easy I'll. Add that to the list. Thank you. I mean a little yellow.

B

Is I'll show you the weather with my son and I'm like do it? You know if I had cover.

B

That's the only one to come by that day, no well.

A

Yeah that that would be the day the police come down during the day, because it's a slow day.

A

Clearing away of any um material brush and material down there, uh peter brits did come down.

A

We walked it, um there are some invasives down in there and there is some. You know: dead wood.

A

That we can cut out with having to get without having to get permits because it's shoreland so.

A

um Corn is going to probably next month sometime when strawberry prescott park.

A

Has done send a crew over there mark off all the invasives mark off the dead wood and then have it.

A

Reviewed again, to make sure that's what we can go ahead and trim and get out of there, because.

A

If nothing else, just for environmental reasons, so before some of the stuff gets out of control,.

A

So does anybody have any questions or any more comments or and we'll come back to this next.

A

Month and see what everybody's found out, susan yeah, um let me just follow up on the discussion.

E

Of dogs and cemeteries, because dogs tend to be a sensitive issue in local government, so.

E

It would be helpful to know if this city, if the city, if this committee has a strong or unified.

E

Recommendation because, ultimately, you know about whether to you know bring forward a proposal to.

E

Limit dogs in the you know the three cemeteries you just mentioned, um so I'm I'm asking because.

E

I think really it would depend if this committee had a strong, you know view and a vote to recommend.

E

That limitation, then we could take it up further for consideration, um I'm just sensitive. We try to.

E

Be you know careful, should we make a motion to that effect if that would be appropriate if, if.

E

That's if you guys are ready to do that or have I'll make a motion that um we send a request to.

D

The city regarding signage, to prevent dogs from being walked in that facility in our in our.

D

Historic cemeteries. Now, if someone seconds at them, we can open the floor for discussion all right. The.

D

Floor is open for discussion if a dog is leashed in its city property. I wouldn't go down that road.

B

I don't know who's going to enforce it.

B

Right, if you have an enforceable, unenforceable statute, what well? Oh I'm sorry dean go ahead.

C

um Heart heart dogs, prohibited by one of the city ordinances already, because, like.

C

Prescott park has a sign that says um no dogs allowed in accordance to.

B

It could be something something something I so I I don't know if pierce island, yeah, yeah.

B

I think those are quite a parks, don't they what's that, I think those that law applies to parks, parks.

C

Okay, cemeteries would be, I don't think they would be considered part. I didn't know if it.

C

Was like all city property yeah? No, I I don't I'll see if I can look it up. While we continue to talk.

E

um But I don't believe off the top of my head that we actually limit dogs from.

E

The cemeteries, um so it goes into, I mean we do require. We do have a leash law. You know here in.

E

um Here in portsmouth- and there are exceptions to that in certain places in the city.

E

um But that's fairly narrow because those if any of you have dogs, you know.

E

um And then we have the dog park so I'll see if I can get an answer, but I'm thinking the answer is.

E

There is no limit right now other than it would have to be on a leash. So I'm just I just.

E

Wanted to make sure that you know you had a good conversation about this and if you feel strongly.

E

About it, then, as you did put it in a motion, if it may amend the motion to say that to put a.

D

Made the regulations in the cemetery to be aligned with the city regulations to other areas where.

D

You know people congregate, like I said most of our public places. You can bring a dog, they just.

E

Need to be on a leash and what I thought I heard, and that's why I wanted to tease it out, is that.

E

There was thought of not having dogs at all, at least in the three major cemeteries of point of.

E

Graves pleasant and the north union cemetery, may I say, could we have a sign but change the nature.

C

Of it could the sign say something like help us preserve our history. Please curb your dog.

E

We certainly have a requirement that you pick up pest waste and maybe what we look at if you want.

E

It as a first step see if we could add signage, reminding people to pick up their pet waste.

A

That's what I was going to say, or even strongly worded, it's the law.

A

You know pick up after your yeah. Why don't I I'll? I can explore that if you want before.

E

You take a formal action if you want to you, want me to get some of those.

E

Get some more background or, like I said, I was just trying to tease out what I can.

E

What I can do for you here and where you really want to go yep, we can table that until.

D

Depending on your findings, okay, okay, I will I will do that I'll, try and get a list of where.

E

It's allowed and kind of the limitations and then talk to public works and see how easy or.

E

Difficult it would be to put up some signage in various places, an item on the next agenda: okay,.

A

um No uh okay, so we're on with that. I I agree with that. um So next is cip and you all have a copy of.

A

What suzanne submitted for us, the capital improvement and the budget that I put together.

A

With prices that would be good for today or two weeks ago, but anyway, um our final thought. You.

A

Know talking to suzanne and um peter, I I've been fortunate peter's been in the building quite a bit.

A

So I've been able to snag him for five minutes or here and there I actually a little story. Is I made.

A

An adding mistake I, instead of a hundred thousand I put a million and so yeah one point is that one.

A

Point like three million dollars that caught his attention, so he did sit down real, quick.

A

So these are, I got estimates or word of mouth through people that are in the trade, so anything.

A

That's here, I've spoken to indeed spoken to um the gentleman about the wrought iron replacement.

A

So I mean these are legitimate as far as what it could, what it could cost, if not more in the future.

A

um They're not in any specific order, we could go ahead and put him in some order for further.

A

Discussion when the cip comes to public meeting, we we could I'm correct. Then right, there's a couple.

A

More times that we could change these numbers or interject, what we think is most important so.

A

What, at the end, what I thought would be the best just to get it in the system. The pipeline was.

A

um Where it says on the front additional detail and background, if needed, I gave them options. I.

A

Didn't want them. I thought this was a reason or a compromise. You know, let's just put it all out.

A

There well, this is really how much it could cost we're, not asking you for this, however, just so that.

A

You're aware going down the line, we're going to be back asking you, um then there were three options.

A

So again, 50 000 would finish up the sea wall down at north. That would do the second phase 30.

A

000 would start replacing the wrought iron fencing in union cemetery, which is sort of the.

A

Focal point even just replacing the wrought iron in there without cleaning the headstones would.

A

Make a tremendous difference in what it looks like today and then 15 000 would cover three.

A

um Projects that are they're all equally important as far as restoring the cemeteries.

A

So I guess the definition of important would have would be determined by who we're talking to and.

A

What money we're requesting so and that certainly would cover you, know: cleaning up hall cemetery.

A

um Wall repairs at pleasant uh because, right now it's not in any shape to take it down. There will.

A

Be nothing left so when we get to that point, just re um covering it with a lime, mortar.

A

um Maybe the way we end up going and that wouldn't cost us. You know five thousand dollars more than.

A

Five thousand dollars, and then I don't know if any of you have been down by cotton and.

A

Elmwood and walked behind between the fields and the stone wall that was once up there. Any.

A

Erosion, the erosion and the and the missing sections of the wall that was originally there.

A

um That tree line that slope is just a disaster, so before anything could be done.

A

Up there would have to be cleaned up so and that certainly could be done professionally.

A

At twenty five hundred dollars a day is the day rate and you know could get someone to come in and.

A

It might take them two days to do it and it'll be over and done with and ready for.

A

To start working on the wall up there to help prevent the erosion, so um any comments on what.

A

What we as a community submitted so are these, are these uh estimates these costs? Are they do.

B

We have uh an estimate attached to it like no. Nobody wants to do estimates at this point in.

A

Time, because these are projects that uh wouldn't even start until next spring, if we were lucky.

A

Or even further out and with the biggest issues with everybody is supply chain getting materials.

A

um The cost of those materials when they get here and everybody is desperate for labor.

A

So um they're, I think, they're a good starting point when we get closer and we have some money.

A

Then uh you know we'll make no wonder if that 408 is realistic or it's uh local.

A

I I completely, I can't tell you, I think it's I think it's it's probably love room worked.

B

Backwards, yeah right yeah, I think just fine. We discussed that last meeting yeah it's low.

A

In reality, compared to what might happen going down the line, but we have to start someplace, he.

B

Didn't want you to put the geotechnical, oh I oh. That was the second thing I didn't put that on.

A

There, because we got the approval for it, yep, so peter and I are working with weston and samson.

E

We may have to tweak their proposal a little bit because I don't think they fully factored in the.

E

Statutory limitations with regard to you know doing geotechnical work. You know in a burial or.

E

Right near a burial site, so we just need a little more coordination on that, but we've put them on.

E

Notice that we're going to try and um get that pulled together and we give people proper notice.

E

um They may also learn some things from the prescott park. Work that they're going to do on.

E

October 17th, so that may help inform us as well, but we've got enough funds to do. Certainly that.

E

Scope of work, and it may get a little bit tweaked as we figure out how to coordinate that in a way.

E

That makes the state archaeologist and happy and um but yeah part of their proposal was using iac.

A

For their archaeologists, so yeah that just happened last week, so um that's in the pipeline.

A

Now too, so we've got a lot of stuff going on and again this is just a starting point and when is.

A

The first do they already start reviewing any of the c, the citizen cips that have come in.

E

um So I think staff, depending on you know which bucket they fall fell into, has started to review.

E

Them internally and we're trying to work with the mayor to figure out um how to um I think we got.

E

To look 160 or something different, cip requests um how to how to work with them in the process.

E

um In a way that people understand what happened to that request was it you know, is.

E

It really a project that we already have on the schedule, or is it something new that the policy.

E

Makers, you know, will want to consider so we're trying to figure out the most efficient way to.

E

Look at those and if they're not getting built into the cip budget, that the city presents or.

E

Cip program document that the city presents, then how to explain and share why it's not in there.

E

So there's a transparency to that and then people can obviously go to public hearings and say: oh I.

E

Think this project should be in it or it should be sooner than you've scheduled it. You know if.

E

It's scheduled for year, three, as opposed to next year, so we're working on that process right now,.

E

And of those 161 were those all like, you said, city projects, citizen projects or those were just this.

E

The requests from outside city government, uh we sort of like a lost, not a lost child, but are we.

A

In a enigma in in the sense of um of committees and stuff, like that, we're building an awareness.

A

Well, yes, we are, I went to city the htc last night and I got up and spoke and plugged us and.

A

um And just you know, transparency uh I had said you know, because I listened to.

A

Everything there were two projects uh you know adjoining our cemeteries. I finally.

A

Got up at towards the end, because that's how long it took and said you know, I hear people.

A

Talk about historic, this and historic that and I said well the newly formed cemetery.

A

Committee has the most historic properties in the community and some people just sort of like.

A

It's the truth, the truth and so and I was nice and um so you know I know this is new.

A

But we have a committed um nothing's been done for a hundred years in this city, except reply.

A

To major things that have happened and have to take care of it so going forward, and I said it.

A

Shamelessly, just putting it out there that the the city needs to be aware that we're now a part of.

A

All of this, too, and uh and actually some of the things we fall under them, because the certified.

A

Local government, it only got get, goes to historic district, but because we have historic cemeteries.

A

We and I asked nick, we fall under their, not their supervision, but their review and things like that.

A

And I said probably I said there aren't any guidelines about cities and historic cemeteries.

A

And I said we to some extent fall under you because of the ceo clg program, and I explained.

A

That, because nick did promote presented last night, their committee is going to review it and then.

A

um One of the november city council meetings we he will present it to them to be okay, that we can.

A

Become that, but you know he's already asked that the number of people would speak up for it, not.

A

That anybody anticipates that it won't get passed because there's no money involved, it's just the.

A

Commitment to maintain those rules or standards which we do already so he did a thorough review.

A

And we meet all the standards, it's like a 50-page document that he had to go through and it was. I.

A

Don't know 500 questions, do you do this? Do you do that, but it not only. Does it open the door for.

A

Us to elevate the cemetery to a higher level when um reaching for grants. It also helps the historic.

A

District committee too, so there are all kinds of programs and other things, uh training and stuff.

A

Like that that nick some of his people had asked about that, so you know it's all there, because.

A

It stayed offered so that's where that stands and then- um and I you know I just said: hey we're here.

A

You know, don't forget us, so they focus just more on private property to make sure that private.

B

Citizens maintain you know whatever integrity and yes, property lines and well not so much property.

A

Lines but they get down to the nitty-gritty of what kind of windows you have but they're all.

B

It sounds like they're, um it seems like what they talk about is much more about private.

A

No they're they're big any of the new buildings you see going up in town all go through.

A

Prison that private yeah corporate yeah, private yeah yeah but yeah, it's more like an architectural.

B

Review, it seems like they spend most of their time. Oh yeah yeah aesthetics. Yes, what would blend in.

A

With the city absolutely, but everything does go through them if it's in the historic district and.

A

It's going to have any kind of construction, whether it's just a removal of something or.

A

Putting in new windows um so they have their hands on it. So would it be helpful for us.

B

To be aligned with them to like get funds versus being like a redheaded stepchild, you were refer to.

B

You know no we're doing them a favor by getting this um certified, we're doing them a favor and.

A

We can continue and go for grants. We don't need them for that, but we needed them to get certified.

A

Does that make sense right? No, we need the historic district.

A

To become a certified local government so that we, as a cemetery committee, can get.

A

um Apply for grants we couldn't apply without the permission of the historic district.

A

Does that make sense, yeah yeah yeah they have the power we're just um yeah. So that's in the.

A

Pipeline any other questions about the cip, we'll just stay on top of it until.

A

Public time comes so the the report that we've three views. It was all these particular items.

B

The estimated cost your original handout 2013 was it. Oh. Yes, these did you factor. Yes, these are all.

A

um That's what I started with and yes, the money is more than what.

A

The 2013 estimates were yeah, so, okay, that's why I took the fall back to that. I think at.

B

Some point in discussion: oh absolutely, and while I put right on there, I believe that was my thing.

A

um Completion of the 2013 existing conditions, assessment report and restoration plan.

A

And that's what this is: it's all based on that that's our bible or whatever you want to call.

B

It you're doing some uh work at uh harmony grow right on before I walk through there of the iron.

B

Wrought iron is that something that done by the cemetery is that, like local families are.

B

Repairing uh like the victorian type, you know iron around some of the plots you know it's.

B

Technically, like the family's responsibility to do that, the family's responsibility yeah, I thought.

B

You were referring to the walls now, not the walls, the uh when I saw the iron fixtures. I know there's.

B

A lot in harmony, grove, yeah proprietors over there, we'd like to see them go away as often as.

B

We can yeah just because of the upkeep yeah yeah um time is getting short, so um I like to skip down.

A

To other business- and it basically will be um just an update of what's what is going on every place.

A

um The dar on october 11th is going to do headstone cleaning, that's been all set up with.

A

um Corning, um we will be there at 9 30.. So if any of you have, you went back to illinois cemetery, no.

B

Cemetery yeah north is just easier. Well, I mean we agreed that focus on that because of the 400s, so.

A

um This uh this tuesday at 9 30., um and I told them the only thing that won't you know- will.

A

Prevent us will be if it's raining, if that, if not, the temperature isn't an issue right now, so.

A

We'll be there as long as it's not raining, and once they head count now, eight or nine nine that'd.

B

Be good, don't overwork them trust me, I'm a dar member! I'm afraid that if I did that I'd they'd.

A

Take away my membership, I don't I can't give up. I know I know, but there are some younger people.

A

In there- and they are bringing kids dar- has a kids branch here and they are bringing they're, not kids.

A

They're teenagers, they have the day off, they're gonna come and help too, and the teenagers make up.

A

For some of the age involved, um so that's on the agenda. um I already mentioned that I threatened.

A

My family and pleasant street is cleaned. How many headstones were unpleasant 76. and we even.

A

Cleaned the front of the wendell tomb needs to be looked at again. There were bricks coming off.

A

The top and around the door there's starting to be some pretty big gaps around the door.

A

um Nobody could get in, but certainly mice and everything else and some of those gaps can.

A

Get in there, but we we cleaned it. um I didn't really. It was really dirty. I was surprised and.

A

um The kids spent a long time, cleaning the headstone and the door and even the bricks. The.

A

D2 works great on the bricks they really shined it up. So um you could you almost couldn't read.

A

The name it was that dirty so so they did that um certified local government. I filled you in on that.

A

um Union and north cemeteries, we have actual certificates that were assigned by.

A

You know governors or what have you and I spoke to katie at the reference library and she said.

A

That they would find someplace to hang those if you know that came, I just think. It's a shame that.

A

They're sitting in a file here at city hall and again it will give profile to the cemeteries so.

A

um Well, I know we're one of I know what the recent one is right. I just got for union right like had.

E

Donna give you or someone give you a copy of it, but I have it yeah. No, I know you do yeah. Do you.

E

Want me to send it to the library yeah that would that would be great, and then we could research.

A

We can research where the um national one is.

A

That would be great and speaking of katie, she had a meeting this morning with alan brady, who.

A

Is the head of technology here at the library and the company? That's designing the database for us.

A

They came to the actual design of the database and they're going to run some tests.

A

And um katie's part of that so um but it's right on board on track. I should say wow great, not.

A

um And I'm also going to approach the dar ladies. um If they want to do some transcribing.

A

That we could have, um I don't know some sort of transcribing party at the library and we can have.

A

Tea and whatever, while they're happy to do some of that too, because I do data entry for a living. Oh.

A

Great celeste, yeah I'll include you um and katie was on board with that, and I was just thinking the.

A

Cemetery at the library would be good for a lot of these people, um because if there's questions or.

A

What have you, then? There will be somebody there to help them and navigate it through and the actual.

A

Books are there, which I think will be easier for a lot of people than trying to use the list. You.

A

Know look on your page in the on the computer and then go back and try to transcribe everything so.

A

um That's in the works, um who is the president of the dar these days? Oh well, the chapter is.

A

uh Lynette lynette weingard she's um chapter a ranger chapter, there's a state president too. So.

A

um But that's who she was just came in this year, so she's on board with this.

A

um They haven't done a lot of um community work in the last few years, so they're looking for.

A

Things to add, you know they report everything, volunteer, work and stuff like that. So they're.

A

They're looking for projects to do- and this is right up their alley with the revolutionary.

A

um Oh gosh then certified, I think, that's it all. My.

A

That's it, I can't believe it um we didn't get to adopt a project or adopt a headstone or the.

A

Kids events for the 400th, but we can put that on for the next. We still have some time on that.

B

Could you enlighten our group as to the activity that took place in harmony, grove relative to.

B

uh A family plot that was oh sure, yes, um john lord, who has come down he's part of new hampshire, old.

A

Graveyard association he and another member came down in harmony and I went over and watched and.

A

They straightened up headstones um and they actually dug up two headstones and took them.

A

And that's fine because he had the owners, the family's permission and they were the really.

A

Tall ones, they were like three, almost four feet tall. They were buried as deep as they were tall.

A

um Above ground- and they were snapped right in half, so he they took them and they're putting them.

A

Back together and then they'll bring them back and reinsert them um it's cool. But but the point I.

A

Think michael's getting at is they dug and dog and dog, even straightening up the smaller headstones.

A

They had to go down, you know a foot, sometimes a foot and a half and for the ones that were buried.

A

Way down, they were down there three feet and we can't do that as volunteers in the cemetery.

A

um For the biggest reason being and disturb the ground right well, yes,.

A

um You can't disturb the ground without having someone there and it, and it is a misconception.

A

Maybe it's only three times out of a hundred that digging around the top of a headstone that you.

A

Might find a bone or something like that, but it does happen, especially in the older cemeteries.

A

And- and I think equally as important is we have to maintain a relationship with the state all.

A

Most of our projects going forward the retaining walls and the walls even down at point of graves.

A

All of those are involved with the state is not just us so or, and I I don't even know, I'm sure.

A

um Well, peter, I already know peter rice is not happy that you know insistent that we don't do.

A

That so I learned a lot because they went down like three feet and there was nobody looking.

A

For remains, I mean nothing. It was initiated by the families that everyone they want. This fixed yeah. I.

B

Originally got an email, the family from australia, yeah yeah and his families, but yeah so uh and.

A

Remains don't have to be big chunks either so uh of whatever. So uh that's all the more reason that.

A

When we go forward about trying to straighten up these headstones, I mean we have to proceed.

A

Or I would like to see us proceed with caution, because if the state ends up being mad at us and.

A

Having peter rice mad at us because we're taking on something incorrectly sort of defeats, the.

A

Purpose of this committee I mean because that's a big chunk of what we want to do eventually is.

A

Straighten up the stones, so if there is there any kind of training or certification that we can get.

D

So we can increase the level of trust from the city and other parties that yeah this person is.

D

Had been trained to do this and they know what to do, they find remains, and there is a level of.

D

Trust in there that would make it easier to go and do that kind of work. I I asked that question.

A

Way back when we first started this committee, there is um archaeologists training in the state.

A

But it doesn't apply to us. It applies to anybody that, um like works for the state or city type.

A

Thing is how he put it to me, and I just I didn't look into it any further, and that was from the.

A

Head archaeologist, mark doppel ourselves, I'm thinking is and there's some work that could.

D

Be done and guidelines in place. So if you get to this point- and you find this, then this is.

D

When you elevate it to an archaeologist, but you can do some work unless these parameters.

D

Happen, you know you can do work, but you don't have to unless there are certain things that.

D

You find that will trigger the need to have an archaeologist. No, I understand what you're saying.

A

And I reached out to mark about three weeks ago- and I never heard back from him um and.

A

I didn't do any um follow-up, but I certainly can because, as I said there, there is a a training on.

A

And I don't I, I have my notes someplace, but I will look into that portion of it again. I.

A

Actually asked him, you know, could he come down? Could we make an appointment? Can you come down.

A

And as long as we're not perceive as some people digging hole, you know that we can be trained to.

D

Make everybody aware that yeah we know within the parameters? We know what we do and we're not just.

D

Digging right and we know how to stop and when to stop and when to get all the people involved.

D

Maybe that's a reassurance. A lot of other people in the town would would take, and I I, as I said.

A

I'll put it on the list, and, and really I love, how would am I taking a training from.

D

Their state archaeologists. Well, you know we could always ask for archaeologists to donate.

A

Their time, which is a whole nother thing if I need to sit down with suzanne- and um I just.

A

Haven't figured out a way, uh or maybe we can do a subcommittee of it- of how to honor people that.

A

Or recognize people who are donating their time to us I mean there's no place to put up.

A

You know like this archaeologist came and donated 30 hours to this project.

A

Where do we put the recognition for that um marriott hotel donated 3 000 to replace.

A

The fence, where do we put that recognition for longer than just a couple weeks online.

A

um So that's what part of the fundraising or gifts in kind. What have you, but I mean that's.

A

Another approach I mean I racked my brains out all the time trying to figure out, maybe at some.

D

Point we just have a ceremony and we recognize the people it could be in a place like this. We.

D

Just have some hors d'oeuvres recognize them and then put everybody on the paper list.

D

It could be that simple, I mean yeah going down the line. We can do it.

D

On the city website and papers and that kind of stuff, yeah.

B

Yeah any other- and I so I will look into that anybody else. We can certainly repair headstones.

A

Starting and offering tuesday that's not a um since I've been watching. All of this, we.

A

Can certainly get trained to um repair headstones, it's not that complicated, but it's heavy work so.

A

um Again, we are submitting them back things that are broken yeah or um applying aluminum siding.

A

Not siding but strips, and so it's not it's not just and you in some things, even if you glue them.

A

They have to be um which color in a vice. You know for a while. So it's just not I'm not saying we.

A

Can't do it 100. We just need to keep on working how we can get it done for the least amount of.

A

Money and safely and have good relationships with everybody. So that's all at this point any other.

A

This is a great meeting. We got a lot done, yeah yeah and a lot of important stuff.

A

And the biggest thing I've learned, I don't know about the rest of you, because you've.

A

All been here since the beginning, it all takes a lot of time it does. It takes a lot of time.

A

So the more it seems like we have a lot in the pipelines, but we sort of have to to get stuff.

A

Done so, and I think we we're managing what's in the pipelines pretty well, so thank you for all.

A

Your help at this point it's been a year, and so you drew a tremendous amount yeah. You really do.

C

Okay, I'm glad to do it. It's the engine that makes us go yeah, it's just yeah. I don't know.

A

Why I became so passionate about it, but I did so. I can't do it so I'm glad to do it and I I you.

A

Know- and all of you are helping- which is really important, so so anyway, all right, so I need an.

A

Adjournment since we're back to being official motion to adjourn a second favorite is ended.