City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Cemetery Committee, 2 Feb 2023

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2.2.2023 Cemetery Committee

A

Thank you all right. Welcome everybody to our first meeting of the year.

A

um I'm glad we did postpone because it was very slippery. uh We had had that.

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Meeting last january, the roads were pretty icy at 5, 5 30., so.

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um So we're now officially called to order, and can we do a roll call and we'll start with.

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Donald president, jerry rubenstein president sue poly dura present sue starry present michael.

B

Griffin president sauce brooks president, um I'm assuming everybody's um had a chance in the.

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Past month, to go over the minutes and the notes from november third meeting and the december 1st.

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Meeting did anybody find anything in there that was contrary to what happened at the meetings.

C

A motion to accept, except we don't have we can't we can't, because I just want to.

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Make sure that everybody's staying up on date so we'll just add this to the yeah the next one.

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We're gonna jump the list that you see um notes for this meeting. They act listed in.

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Any order of importance they're just listed so we're going to jump down to what number is.

A

Mr sullivan, oh, should we change the other business if you'd like.

D

A lot it depends. What, when you want to deal with this bob will keep us company until you're.

D

Ready to deal with this draft, that is true. Okay, would you ever I didn't want to hold him up for.

A

um Okay, I actually look forward to a little break. Okay bobby's here. How are you thank you.

A

um We're going to start with the rock cards, then they came in and um they're here people. I don't.

D

Know how you want to distribute them or whether ava wants to do when she gets back. But there are.

D

The rack cards are here, that's thrilling and I'm happy to do it. I just I know I will be back for.

E

Another you know six weeks, but if somebody wants to do it, it wouldn't insult me in the least or if.

E

You want me to wait. I would do it as soon as I got back, uh which what are we february? It's up.

A

To all of you, you know it might not hurt to put them, at least in the chamber of commerce building.

E

And the library I can bring them to the library I'll bring them to the chamber if you would put.

E

Them in those two places, then I would try the I would go to the other places. That said, they.

E

Would take them as especially the hotels that were iffy but said they would take them and put.

E

Them behind the desk, you know I'm still hoping they'll he'll uh display them a little more.

E

um Obviously, but if somebody could just bring them to even just to the chamber in the library, I would.

E

Take care of the rest, okay, so carrie is offered to take him to the chamber. Thank you, carrie and.

A

Celeste said she would take some to the library. uh Did you touch base with the discovery center.

A

Yes, I did but they're closed when when do they open again? Yes, okay yeah, they said they would.

E

Take them all right, so we're all set for that um next up. You're welcome! Thank you for all the.

A

Hard work that you did with stephanie uh signed for union cemetery that we had talked about it.

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Before I didn't, I thought I had it right in here. um It's the plaque that says, union cemetery is.

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Now part of the new hampshire state registry, it's fifty dollars. um uh I went to suzanne inform me.

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That peter rice said that there was a granite in a big pile and he was not kidding. It was a big pile.

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Of post and curbing so I did go down there with cornyn and really what we need. First is the sign.

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And then we can take the sign down there and and fit it to a piece of granite so that we we may not.

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Have to purchase a piece of granite to install the sign at union cemetery, so we can't vote on.

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Buying it can we or no, but you can you can. I can work on arranging that because I'm sure we can.

D

Find fifty dollars whether it comes out of the trust or something we'll we'll figure, that out.

D

Okay, so if that's what the committee would like to do I'll make that recommendation to the city.

D

Manager and we'll figure out which resources oh here, it is right here you can pass around the.

A

This is the required sign that the state does. So if you want to pass that around stuff, so.

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um Does anybody object to go ahead and getting the sign so that we can get installed this summer.

A

Thank you, oh the sooner, the better okay. So do we make a motion? No, we don't have enough people, okay,.

A

Okay, I I got the gist, and now suzanne um has uh a copy of a sign that we discussed about no dog or.

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Not dogs, no uh pick up after your dog and dawn to dusk, I mean dusk, to dawn in the cemeteries.

D

um So this is the mock-up that we did. How is it going to be a fixed or shown.

D

No they're going to be actual size or something yeah. I think it's going.

D

To be roughly this size, that'd be fine yeah.

A

And it said you know: dogs must be on leash at all times for the camera.

E

Very nice, my neighbor [music] yeah, I mean again, I still object to dusk, to.

F

Dawn because it it really hampers, you know, people wanting to use it.

F

At any time, like everyone has been for the last, however many years I mean she'll keep doing it.

A

I was trying to think of when how many people, as far as dawn goes, are going to be in there when.

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It's dark or at the the dusk I can understand to an extent, but in the summertime it's much later so.

A

I I don't know, I I think overall, we can test this out and see what kind of pushback I mean.

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We don't have to have this sign forever. So if, if the police or whoever start telling us that.

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There are the city hall is getting phone calls complaining about the signs. We can keep track.

A

Of that and we can always revisit it, yeah it's more like just why waste.

F

Money on a sign that you know we're gonna have to later take down. If people don't like, you know.

F

I I just, I think, you're taking away something from people by by limiting when they can go.

F

Into these public grounds, it's not like you know, prescott park. You can't just walk around anytime.

C

Wow, it's not quite the same in the sense that prescott park. I don't believe I haven't talked.

A

To any, you know the police, how much vandalism goes on down there or how much or how many people stay.

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All night in the park and that type of thing, because that's more wide, open and visible to.

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From the bridge and police cars and everything going by where, especially in union and north.

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Cemetery there's that hill, so there's plenty of hidden space down in the back.

A

um I think the sign is more of a. I don't know suggestion it will show that people were keeping.

G

An eye on this kind of thing, and um so we'll see how it goes truthfully. That's in response.

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To if you remember correctly, um how many people were upset about the headstones being broken and.

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Wanted surveillance cameras and olive or whatever else we could do the police down there every hour.

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You know shining their big spotlight on it. I think this is in my opinion, is a good compromise to that.

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To see how it works, because cameras are impossible and they're gonna work anyway, so.

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um Unless there's a major objection by anybody to um go ahead and have them made and posted, and we.

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Can leave the posting decision up to uh we'll find in and and things like that, how best is going to.

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Look because I even thought about them wondering if we could even attach them to the outside wall.

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So when people walking by on either end could see it or or hang them whatever so.

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But I I personally think it's a very tasteful and and uh sort of really goes with it. It you.

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Know it's historical looking, so it it's not a blatant in your face. Sign like you.

A

Know curb your dogs and other signs. You see around town. So, ideally, where would it go.

D

um Corin may have an idea when he drafted drafted this, but I didn't think to ask him exactly where.

D

This might go yeah, I saw him yesterday too, and I didn't I didn't, ask them so and the thought.

D

Was just see what how it goes? If we do you, you know union, north cemetery and again to get the.

D

Response, you know just how are people treating the signs? Do they think it's respectful? Are they.

D

Still find they can use the cemetery, you know for reasonable uses, and you know with their pets and.

C

Thank you for doing it, that's fine! So how about you, ladies online any comments or.

E

I think the sign is very tasteful and.

E

I mean I I like it. I like the idea what about you deedee.

H

I do I like it and it seems like it's minimal cost. uh You know, but I don't think there's.

H

A lot of risk involved: it looks great okay, all right, so you can take care of that too.

A

I've got to tell you we was lost on this committee if we didn't have suzanne, so um I just wanted to.

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Update real quick, um the city I.t department has completed putting together a brand new database.

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For us from scratch, um I got to see how it works with on a meeting a couple of fridays ago um and.

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It is going to be so like you just type in john smith, and it's going to bring you up every single.

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John smith and every cemetery buried in portsmouth, oh, I mean that's a real big deal because a lot.

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Of people don't know where their relatives are buried or it can or it will just bring.

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Up individual cemeteries, so you can really twist it in and out all over the place and there'll be.

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Quite a bit of information and then hopefully down the line we'll be able to hook it up to.

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Okay, they had the name because they have so much information there by names and families of the.

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People in portsmouth that something to look at down the line and also when that goes up, hopefully,.

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In a couple months, the data, the geo map that we created, so you just so they learn a database that.

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Says pleasant street they can go to the geo map press on pleasant street or bring a picture up.

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Of pleasant street we'll show them exactly where the map where the cemetery is on that street and.

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We can add information to that that site going forward too. So I'm excited that um very shortly.

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That will all be implemented that will be on the website the city website, and it will be at library.

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And the reference library will have control over that. So if we need anything changed, you know they.

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Will do it for us, but also as they grow over there they'll be able to add information and correct or.

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Whatever they need to do so, they're very excited too. When will this be completed um in a couple.

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Months, hopefully I mean they're testing it all out now and then the next big project will be we'll.

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Have the five main cemeteries that are actually the um seven cemeteries that we are responsible.

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For will go up at that time and then we'll have to have someone to start doing entering information.

A

For the other 35 cemeteries, which it's not bad, my granddaughter got into trouble at school. So.

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So for punishment, um I don't know if that's good or bad, but anyway she had to stay home from school.

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She did 12 pages of union cemetery for me, so you know, if a 13. can you punish her well, she.

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Was just going to sit around and do nothing all day and I said: hey yeah, no, that's great.

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And my daughter said, I think it's a great idea and that's what she did. She got 12 pages done so.

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um Of union cemetery, so I'm hoping no, I'm not hoping she screws up. She didn't like it well.

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Enough to say, hey I'll, keep going for a community service, but right it's really not that hard.

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Call cemetery: um I know I sent you all um a picture of the beginning of hall cemetery.

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I can there was so much on this agenda. I didn't bring a slideshow, but I can, I would say, let's.

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Go down and walk it, but you can't you can't get down through there. No, it's! You know. Yes,.

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You have to hug the fence for a while, and then you have to go way over here and you have to.

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Climb over fallen trees, it's not a particularly safe journey for anybody to go down in there.

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um But I have had um two companies have come out and looked at what it would cost to clear that.

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And to take down some of the 30 to 40 foot trees that are actually in the cemetery.

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And when we were out there yesterday, um that's when I noticed because of the tree.

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Person there were actually three large dead trees inside the cemetery wall, so.

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They need to come down because they could hit the house. That's behind that cemetery on brackets road.

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um The estimates came in at three thousand dollars a day or thirty, two hundred with a three day.

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Time frame I'm gonna have, I spoke to corin, and he suggested that I have two larger companies come.

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In because they may also have stump grinders, um where these two smaller companies, don't it would.

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Be an extra charge and if clearing that path, there are so many trees about 20. There will be.

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At least 20 stumps, it definitely would have to be have stump grinding because it wouldn't be safe.

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To go down through there, so that's additional, um maybe an additional cost houses that are.

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We have a 16 foot, that's what this picture is sorry. This is the picture right here. This little.

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Second, bath, the path, the right: it's a right-of-way is 16 feet wide. Oh that's pretty wide and the.

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Majority of the trees are on our path, so I know chris had uh emailed and said he was concerned.

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What the neighbors, if they would want the trees, cut? Well, the neighbor on the right. Definitely.

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Wants the trees cut and has been asking the city to do it for years and the new neighbors on the.

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Left-Hand side haven't been contacted yet or you know no one's spoken to him because I didn't want.

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To I wanted to wait to find out what we were really going to do before you know, knocking on.

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Their door but there'll still be trees standing along there. So not all the trees would be coming.

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Down there are trees on his property that wouldn't be touched. So it's not like we're going to go.

A

Down and clear, cut everything and then they're going to have all this wide open space that they.

A

Didn't have before as far as letting light in, but still the city owns that path yeah so potentially.

G

You can just cut these trees down and oh yeah for right now we're going trees that are on municipal.

D

Property, you know all about that process. Well, I I spoke to um both max who is the arborist and.

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Two corin the city, because it's so overgrown and the trees are so big and it they are in a really.

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Tight spot, they don't have the equipment or the manpower with the expertise to take, and they just.

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Don't have the time so there they are pro doing this. If we can come up with the money, there's no.

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Their their feelings aren't going to be heard that somebody on the outside is going to do this.

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um So next wednesday morning um I go before the tree committee to let them know what we.

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Would like to do and it will be their decision whether and michael's on that committee. um You.

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Know that's what I was wondering. I was thinking trees and greenery, yeah, trees and greenery and.

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So I will go before them present what we would like to do and give them a little slideshow max.

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The uh who's on the committee agrees. You know that this should take place and didn't see any.

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Real issues about taking them down and hopefully they'll, give us the okay and then from there.

A

It starts another process which I'm not sure.

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Do we have to go before the city council? If the tree committee says it's okay, because this is.

A

Sort of a it's a larger project- it's a larger project. I don't it would be nice to notify.

D

Them, but since we need to still find some money right so we'll take it one step at a time which.

A

um I reached out to our city manager: karen. There is art funds, harper, opera funds that are available.

A

Well, I shouldn't say this: this is the forecasted budget and I've been going to these meetings.

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And um arthur was unexpected money that we got what two years ago because of covid.

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Their um all the money hasn't been allocated out. There's 5 million left and um 75.

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7 million um has already been allotted out to um basically all city projects, the fire.

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Station public health street paving and all those types of things, but there's still five.

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Thousand dollars I mean five million left. um I asked around to find out how you could be put on.

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The list I actually went to the meeting, but at some of our meetings you can't get answers. You.

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Just can state something and you're not going to get an answer at that point. So after that I did.

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Ask about how you get your name on the list if you want the month be considered for the money.

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No one could really give me a you know like a process to do so. I wrote to karen yesterday.

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um Asked her about the four projects that are listed that may receive the five million dollars.

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Four of them were, I mean three of them were uh public works which we're a part of. So I asked.

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Her if uh and their total comes to 4 million, I asked if it's possible to con be considered.

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That fifteen thousand dollars out of that amount of money going to those other projects uh might.

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Be considered because fifteen thousand and out of four million isn't particularly a big impact.

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Even if they took five thousand from each project and uh but 15 000 would make a big impact on how.

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Far, we could go with restoring our cemeteries, so projects that they're committed to oh they're, not.

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On here, they're on the website, they're again they're all big projects, like, I think part of.

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Them were the sewer lines down through islington street, another big paving project, and I don't know.

A

What the other one was and there's go ahead. I was gonna, say and there's going to be more.

D

Process part of it is the we're waiting for the health department to finish its need, study, public.

D

Health needs study and then the city council was anticipating kind of looking at those results and.

D

Helping to shape how the remainder of the monies might be used, so there is more process coming.

A

So our name is on the list so fair enough. um If not really you don't know about that. Oh it'll be.

A

While the the budget isn't settled until june, sometime correct, that's what I thought, but we.

A

Would know we would know somewhat before then, because they have to. Is that that? Oh, that's.

A

Not under cip, so it's part of the budget budget process yeah it would. It will be a while. So, okay.

A

Okay, but that type of work can be done right any time of the year, so.

D

Well, you know you gotta, all I could do or we can do is ask for it all is if anybody can say.

A

No, I know so um we'll see how that turns out. So does anybody have any questions about my.

G

Hearing that in the fall cemetery, um I did a lot of research for dar in there there are.

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30 headstones there are people captains that were privateers during the revolution. There.

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Are two revolutionary people buried up there? um There's all kinds of people from the 1700s.

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That the halls are the primary. That's why I called hall- and he was one of the captains.

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um There are people that were stationed on the ranger and the raleigh that I buried up there.

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Odeon shores, so it's a colonial cemetery. There's no question about it. So.

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um And it's unfortunate because I have pictures of what it looked like back in 1983 and it was.

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In really good shape, and now it's not so- and I even had a story given to me that when the.

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City went up to look at hall at one time. They found bones there so that had been dug up so.

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um Anyway, it's city property- all we can do is hope to get it squared away and make it a part of.

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Our history and people wanting to save it and preserve it.

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So next next is, I already covered that wrote a letter to karen.

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um I received a phone call from corin today for the green door at the tomb up on south street, so I.

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Put a call or text out to the gentleman andy croto, who said he could do the job his family owns cotto.

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um Welding out on banfield road, so he's going to put together a formal estimate of exactly.

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What he's going to do and how long it will take and the cost of 900 and get that to corn.

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um Because it's my understanding, peter rice, you know there are funds available to take.

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Care of that, so so that's um that's moving along. um If we don't get this like 15, when is.

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The last time you can ask for additional money for cip. I looked at their little.

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You know she, and it still didn't make sense to me when the public could actually request like.

A

We have 40. Could you give us another 10 this year for whatever so the public hearings take place.

D

um Throughout really march, uh not march february, with the adoption of the cip at the march 6 city.

D

Council meeting so there'll be opportunities um to make. You know, requests during the public hearing.

D

Process at the upcoming city council, meeting- okay- I I'll have to look at it because I didn't it. It.

A

Wasn't clear, it wasn't yeah we we, you know, it was on unusual that the city council added money last.

D

Year to you know in response to your request at the public hearing, um because, typically that you.

D

Know the request says you: did you submitted everything in the fall which got vetted and.

D

Went to the planning board and then became part of the package that you see now. That's before you.

D

um So, if it's more than what has been put in there, the public hearing is the place to request.

D

That that number- that's in that cip item I mean it's 40 000 you would. You would make your request.

D

For additional, I know we we discussed this. You know at earlier meetings about asking for more.

A

I'm ambivalent about doing it. I mean that as a committee, but it's not up to me so.

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I I don't know how everybody still feels about at requesting more money. Yet during this cycle of.

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Of budgeting, um I know some people what we requested, 40. right and it's on the it's in.

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The cip to be approved so, but we can't ask for above the 40 for just this year.

A

If we, what we can doesn't matter, why we would do it, but well our needs are limitless.

H

Yeah then I just don't know other people freak out. If you ask for more well, we have uh last year you.

H

Asked for more last year we didn't have any, and so I asked if we could, if they would renew the.

A

The one from seven years ago, which was two hundred thousand dollars over five years and they agreed.

A

With that, so I mean the this is a new cycle for um grant. Writing too I mean the l. Chip is out there.

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And that's matching funds the moose plate and I have found a couple other small small grants.

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That we can apply for so um I just need feedback from you guys about how, if you want to approach.

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The city for more money this year or hold off after we get some a lot of the little stuff.

A

Done this year, what kind of money do we have on our budget? I don't know that's one of my my.

G

Because it will depend if we have enough money to just keep doing what we're doing until next.

G

Budget cycle, I I brought the numbers probably two months ago, but I don't I didn't, get any updated.

D

Numbers, so I would have to do that so my I didn't think to yeah to bring any updated numbers, but we.

D

Had some money left, which is what we were going to use for matching funds and to do the work on.

D

The the north mill pond wall there right, um so we had enough money to do that because we committed.

D

To doing that as part of the the grant the moose plate grant project right so to speak, so there is.

D

Some money there, you know I can just ask corn to come to the next meeting and with updated numbers.

D

um It would be good to know what we have, so we can start when we started scheduling some.

G

Of these projects, we can see what we what we can use when we need to request, for. I think I.

D

Think keep in mind. What is helpful is for you to do what you've been doing, which is in part.

D

Prioritizing and calling attention to certain needs and projects, because ultimately it's the.

D

City, you know the operation side of the house is going to figure out based on the bucket of.

D

Money and how you know significant the need is, you know, is something about ready to fall down.

D

um You know they're balancing that, um so that's what they're looking at so what you've.

D

Been doing is calling things to attention getting you know projects kind of going.

D

um And and getting those grant funds so that we can totally maximize what we can do with.

D

The funds that we have like I said I have a number in my head in terms of what there was.

D

In the fall, when we had this conversation- and I don't think a lot has been expended.

D

Since that time, because I don't I don't recall that really much has been done.

D

um Because we have these projects in the pipeline, so I think there's some money there.

D

um And I know that the cip element sheet for historical cemeteries talks about the.

D

Multi-Year right, you know it's 40 000 for this budget cycle, but it's projected to include.

D

You know amounts for future years because of at least some of the deferred needs. So.

A

Personal um view of all of this is that we made it through the first year. We did get a lot of things.

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Done even though it doesn't feel like it, but we we generated a lot of interest or interest into.

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The with the community within the city, which we need the support from and it is growing.

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I I would like to see us have one more year under our belt and if we can get.

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um I'm optimistic that we will get all the headstones cleaned this summer.

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And also we may be able to start straightening headstones. I finally got the okay from.

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um Mark drobowloski, who is the state architect he did say to me yesterday as a matter of fact,.

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He called finally um straightening headstones as long as we're not going down to pull up the.

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Whole stone we can certainly dig around the outside to straighten it and to prop it up.

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With more dirt, so that's a our gravel, whatever that's a big, that's a big project, but that is a.

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Big weight off our shoulders because everybody had been playing that even him last year that.

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We were going to need an archaeologist here, just in case we found some bones.

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um That's a big project that can be done in the next six months or you know, get started and also.

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um We can start doing headstones as far as repair and we'll talk about that in another meeting. But.

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We don't have to as far as headstone repairing I wrote to the state because they asked about it.

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I didn't realize they have a committee like our hdc, and so they want to make sure that when we go.

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In and start doing, headstones that we're not using the wrong product we're not using the.

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Wrong product cleaning um we're not just using bad techniques to actually put the stones back.

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Together and that sort of thing so I shot off- and I found this out from mark- I shot an email off.

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To them this morning saying you know we use d2, we don't use a pressure washer. We want to start doing.

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Headstone straightening and you know we appreciate how fragile they can be, but we would be trained by.

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I I put down john john lord, because um the state recognizes the new hampshire.

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Old graveyard association they've been doing work in the state for like 40 years.

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So- and I know john will come down in a heartbeat so that we can be trained on the proper way to.

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You know get the headstones back up and what to use, but also I wrote that we would only be using.

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um Fixing headstones that had their actual pieces there at the site. So if it's chipped off and the.

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Piece is laying down there that john would train us on how to put it back together safely and what.

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Products to use those kinds of products projects we don't have to have 20 people or 15 people come.

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And do that those are going to be more on a small based project and that those don't.

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Require the city to come and give us water those kinds of things, so those can be done anytime in.

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The spring right, through the fall once we or get organized for something like that, so I I think.

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The email, hopefully, will prove to them that a we know the importance. We know what we're.

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Doing- and you know we want to preserve these for future generations, so we don't want to go in and.

A

Destroy them, we just want to restore them. Didn't peter rice had some objection to digging at all.

G

In there yeah because he thought we had to have an archaeologist, so that will take care of that.

D

So we will, we will still need approval from the city, but I think yeah. If we have a yeah, you know.

D

Susan is laying the groundwork to get the right conditions in place for a small team of folks who.

D

Are properly trained and I think then we could appropriately move it through our process to say.

D

Yes, this group of well-trained thoughtful folks who are going to adhere to these guidelines could.

D

Do something so she's doing what she should do to get all the input from the from the state and that.

D

Way we can, I can work with public works and make sure that they're comfortable with the process.

D

And you know that the city, council and everyone is, is good, but doing the first part, which is really.

D

Understanding what the state would expect and and right then we'll kind of go from there. So there's.

G

Some steps yeah, we can create our own little version of dig safe for the cemetery, um but it.

G

Does draining out itself and again, I'm tying this back too, that we need to prove to the city that.

A

You know, we've thought out all these things and that we can do them responsibly and continue on.

A

um You know being a cemetery committee so um where what else did I want to tell you about that.

A

um Totally less oh about the funding, so so I'm thinking we should get one more year summer.

A

Actually under our belt and then go back the following year and say hey: these are all the.

A

Responsible things that we've done shown that we're serious about this, that we really want.

A

To bring these cemeteries up to snuff and don't have to say them, we should do it just.

A

Because it's tourism and will bring more money into the city, we can use that technique for.

A

Something else, but that we should just restore these because they're historic cemeteries and.

A

We're willing to put in the right time and the right effort to do them, so I would support you.

H

The recommendation to hold off hold off asking for more money. That's what you're saying.

A

Right yeah, I didn't have a problem asking since opera funds were sort of found money.

A

um You know asking to be a part of that that you know they'll either say yes, they're going.

A

To say no, but going for c cip, which is a budget, is a different horse. So.

A

um And I don't want to me personally, you know I just want to figure our way.

A

Through this process- and so I don't know what anybody else thinks about cip, ladies online or.

H

Do we have a breakdown of what we've spent suzanne? Oh sorry,.

A

Suzanne will get us that number for next time out. We have. We have money so that we can continue on.

A

To do these smaller projects, you know, get the signs make applications for grants. [Applause].

A

To get on new hampshire registry, those sorts of things we just don't have the big money and and.

A

We do I plan on I'm hoping that people will step up and we'll do you know the moose plate in the.

A

He was already offered to start working on the l-chip, so.

A

um That's that's the big one, so she is offered to go ahead and start getting information. Putting.

A

Stuff together and then we can decide. You know where it's gonna, uh you know where we.

A

Would get the matching funds and which big project we'd like to have that go towards so.

A

So I know we're not physically, I mean officially voting, but any anyone object to not asking for.

A

Extra money in the cip this year and waiting until next year and just prove ourselves.

H

Where would you intend to get the money to cut the trees for the whole cemetery.

A

Out of the opera funds that I applied for, okay out of there out of the fifteen thousand yeah.

A

And the other thing that that doesn't mean prevent us try to find a sponsor. You know.

A

It's sort of a small enough project that maybe somebody would just do it for us and.

A

You know we can offer them some sort of um marketing or something you know in.

A

Return but a sign out there for a while that says, services provided by such and such so.

A

It's just a step-by-step pro uh program at this point, so as we go along, we can figure out what.

A

The next step is, if it doesn't happen along those lines, I'd be curious as to who you talk to to get.

B

Those purchases you have from what they floated that idea, a charitable organization from a tree.

B

Service company, the sassano on the high end to you or the low one. No, I think that's a fair price. uh I.

A

Went a db tree out of south broadway they've done um work for portsmouth new england tree.

A

Service they're out of elliott, they've done lots of work for portsmouth and I'm meeting.

A

Next week, with knowles tree service and they've done a lot of work for the city of portsmouth.

A

Knowles is much bigger than those two smaller companies. I got conflicting information from.

A

People at the city, art about you know she just asked small companies or what have you, but I'm.

A

Gonna get prices from both, so we need any kind of guidance on the bidding process. For that I.

D

I'm not we're getting some quotes and that's the good start. That's it's just the start. You know.

A

To see if we can, even we can't ask for something if we don't have an idea, what we're asking for so.

A

um Then we would go back or I wouldn't, but somebody would go back and get formal in.

B

Quotes you're going to come to the tree meeting next thursday yeah yeah ask aj, because I know.

B

The cornerstone has done work for this city, yeah yeah for nothing. Oh really. They took down that.

B

Beech tree and the sonic temple parking lot for nothing, oh cool, all right, so I'm cognizant that it.

D

Is quarter to five right and if we want to cover the ordinance right potential ordinance change.

D

Yeah bob's here then I don't have to drag him to another meeting yep. No, I agree we're done there.

A

Yeah, it was number 12 on here. Should we change the definition and requirements for the committee.

D

So the um meaning that you know we more times than not, we don't have a.

A

Quorum to actually vote so what I I bob to do this is his handiwork.

D

um Is to give some thought as to changes you might want to consider to the existing ordinance so that.

D

You would be more likely to have a quorum and not be in the position that you are today yeah. So, okay.

A

um I did approach uh our state senator rebecca quokka, um about um state legislation, saying that.

A

Towns, under whatever 40 000 or whatever the number is. I didn't really that I don't care about that.

A

Their community um committees and things like that could uh roll uh zoom.

A

People into the quorum where this day and age so much is done with zoom, and so many people.

A

Travel or can't get out or what have you so um she wrote back and said she had tried to.

A

Present that and it didn't get through, but she was talking about what the state.

A

Legislature, 500 people or you know thereabouts, so there is a process that we could go through.

A

um Not the cemetery committee, but there is a process that I could.

A

Go through with we have a state legislature.

A

um Committee, what's it called the legislative subcommittee right and that's where the city.

A

Deals with state changes and ordinances and or what have you so there's a process that I may.

A

Take on my own to it wouldn't be a change just for us. It would be a statewide thing. So just.

A

To let you know to be transparent, okay, there you go so maybe bob because I didn't. I didn't.

D

Realize we were going to have members by email, so I apologize or else I might have sent you a draft.

D

um So maybe bob could summarize what he drafted and again. This is just a draft to try for your.

D

Discussion purposes um to try and shrink down the number of members since that is going to govern.

D

The quorum needs, so maybe bob you could summarize it's a short paragraph. Why don't? I just read.

B

What the paragraph would be if the amendment was written. Yeah put this closer all right, zoom people.

B

um This would be the first paragraph of the ordinance which establishes the cemetery.

B

Committee and it would read membership and term. The cemetery committee shall consist of not less.

B

Than seven nor more than 11 regular members, the members shall be appointed by the mayor. Subject.

B

To the approval of the city council, the first four members appointed after adoption of this ordinance.

B

Shall be appointed to terms of three years commencing as of the date of completed appointment.

B

Thereafter, all appointments show before terms of two years all appointments to fill vacancies.

B

Shall serve the remainder of the vacant term? A quorum shall be a majority of the existing.

B

Appointed members at any given time, I believe that that paragraph addresses.

B

All the concerns that I heard from suzanne to maintain the stagger among the committee to.

B

Divide the appointment up among various council member councils, so you wouldn't have a situation.

B

Which has created some issues in the past of an outgoing mayor, for example, being able to appoint.

B

An entire or a majority of the board that would be gone. I think, as I say, everything's here, that.

B

Last sentence: a quorum shall be a majority of the existing appointed members at any.

B

Given time that is a statutory floor under rsa 91a the right to nola, you cannot go below that.

D

And then maybe you should point out the paragraph at the that's really not an ordinance change, but.

D

Gives direction? This is my idea and uh it's not part of the wooden, but uh what I would.

B

Have the city council vote upon award recommend we have a city council voting upon uh following.

B

Be it further ordained that, on the adoption of this amendment, the terms of all existing.

B

Members of the city cemetery committee shall terminate, if actually should be.

B

Terminated uh the then continuing the mayor shall thereafter reappoint the members to.

B

The committee, until all existing members have been offered the opportunity for reappointment.

B

And uh the the significance of that is to just clean everything up, so that the terms.

B

All begin at the same time, and we don't have to try to deal with existing terms.

B

Of existing cemetery members after the appointed, the new ordinance is in place.

C

Yes, you don't have to make any decisions today, it was just to give you begin to give you something.

D

To talk about and feel free to give it some thought um so the the appointment of the first was.

D

At three members being uh three years until four four um is to create a stagger yeah, because that.

D

Way, you know you'll get started, you know, four of you would serve for a brand new set of three years.

D

The remainder going forward would just be the two-year term, which was what was originally.

D

Envisioned, but this way you get that stagger going and then thereafter you're rocking so.

D

You won't lose the whole committee all at once, and that was part of what I know we've heard in.

D

The governance committee and my concern frankly with this committee I mean I'm expecting you all.

D

To be reappointed, but geez would be nice to make you know, I think, there's been value in.

D

What you have you know been doing and- and I think that yeah getting some kind of continuity- is nice.

D

On any kind of border commission typically, so that's what bob was trying to achieve with that.

D

And then he added that other paragraph right at the end, which just says hey, you know all of you.

D

Who are serving if this were to pass in august? You know all of you serving. You know, we'll get.

D

Those appointments right before the mayor asap so that we don't lose time. And if you want to.

D

Continue on that's great pass, the appointments get everyone back on, and some of you will just.

D

Start with brand new three-year terms, some of you will start with two-year terms and keep on.

D

Keeping on what would be the minimum threshold to maintain a quorum, uh the minimum threshold.

B

For quorum would be if there was a time when there were only seven members of the cemetery committee.

B

Then the quorum would be four okay, and if you had 11, which is the maximum, then it's six six.

B

Bob, what is the term uh completed? Appointment referred to I've, never.

B

Seen that well, I yeah what I intended by that was completed appointment to be uh the.

B

Appointed by the mayor and the approval by the council, because the appointment.

B

Hasn't actually completed until the council makes the approval.

B

This fences a lot of our concerns, going forward and being efficient, yeah. So um chris and duncan.

A

Will get a copy of this so at our next meeting we could, you know everyone can mull it over and then.

D

Send it out to everyone who wasn't here so that they'll know that this is something that we talked.

D

About and you guys can consider further, but I had promised to bring something back and I brought bob.

D

I brought him food though that was that came with food, hey bob there's some lunches, yeah.

B

Get rid of him so give him something to do well. I think this would work the way you want it to work.

H

Oh absolutely and it'll continue on, and otherwise we haven't had a quorum in the last three or four.

A

Meetings right yeah, so you know people out of town they're they're here, but they can't vote.

B

Right and we've had people with surgeries and weather up in this part of the country.

A

It and who knew zoom was going to be such a big. This has nothing to do with zoom, but.

A

I'm just saying, but you can't vote yeah, so um no. I think this is great. It certainly.

A

I don't know who had picked 18, but that's a lot of people for how many do we have currently 10 10.

A

Which isn't bad, but so, in which case our quorum would be five five except.

D

That the ordinance is really structured. The current one to have a much bigger.

D

Group, so that's why it's really awkward right yeah! Thank you for doing that. Yes, thank you.

A

I just wanted to make sure that got covered before people start to leave at five, because I that was.

D

A no, I that's important, so um there are a couple things on here. We can go over real, quick before.

G

Five o'clock.

D

B

Did you thank you good to see you bob? Thank you. Everybody.

A

um African burial ground going forward um they're going to be, we put them on the rack card, so.

A

um Going forward they're just going to be folded into part of our committee right now. Did you talk.

A

To someone about that, well, I meant, as far as putting the name out not actual oh okay,.

D

I was folded into I've, just been oh yeah, no, no record, because no, no, I know nothing. Physical has.

C

um You know they will be included on on all our marketing information.

A

And things like that going out, um I did try to set up an appointment with joanna.

A

On city council, because I belong to old, new england cemetery association, I mean gravestone.

A

Association, the federal government just passed a africa american african burial, ground act and.

A

So it makes available funds for restoration and also they're, trying to create a national database.

A

Of black cemeteries, so I wanted to let her know about that, because I know she's.

A

Was she a part of it or she's familiar with all the people that yeah she's she's the chair and.

D

We've kind of been working, we've have quorum issues too on that committee, right, yeah and so.

A

I did set up a meeting with her because I wanted to let her know about that and going forward what.

A

It you know, I I and we've spoken before about joining or having a representative from that.

A

That community, uh on our you, know, put them on our cemetery committee. That type of thing so.

A

It's just a work in progress and no they're, not officially apart, but you know they will be part.

A

Of all our marketing- and they do need restoration so um on that um mine is like already because they.

G

Had that hasn't been of functioning only if it's only a few years old yeah, no, they have.

A

Major restoration, I actually one of the men that worked on the project is actually works.

A

My son-in-law now and he told me all about it, so he worked for piscataqua, who did the major work.

A

Things didn't go, um you know, things have settled all things like that that need to be corrected.

A

So I don't know all the details, but there is work that needs yes there. There is work, it was.

D

Always anticipated that that memorial park would need enhanced maintenance because of the graves.

D

Underneath we could not set curbing or place a lot of the structures with the depth that you would.

D

Typically put them in in a new england climate, so we knew going in that it would be a some enhanced.

D

Maintenance requirements over time and yeah we're seeing that plus there is some work to do.

D

um On the sankofa, because the that we're working with the artist on that.

A

So- um and it's strange I just I just found that out yesterday that scott had was a big part of.

A

That program- and so you know we have an insight to that. um We is now official. We can ask the.

A

Navy yard for help from the sub cheyenne. It's now an officially connected to our city, so hopefully.

A

Going forward there'll be a big part of cleaning. I had stones and things like that. That's one of.

A

The reasons I think we'll be able to get the rest of the headstones clean for the summer.

A

Well, it is five o'clock, though I already mentioned the new round of grants. We can talk about that.

A

Or if anybody wants to review some grants and think they might want to take it on, let us know.

A

um uh I would like to see us get applications in for point of graves and pleasant street.

A

Cemeteries for to get them put on the new hampshire registry and then the 400th headstone.

A

Cleaning at cotton cemetery- I'm gonna, um I'm going to approach d.a.r sons of liberty, the.

A

People from the cheyenne to help with those cleanings, because they're all organizations.

A

Well, well, first of all, the first lieutenant of the ship raleigh is buried in cotton cemetery. When.

A

It was launched, he was the first lieutenant so there's a big connection to the navy at.

A

That point, because it's one of the first ships launched for the civil uh civil war for them, yep.

A

It's right on the top of the hill near the tree right there, um so I mean there's a big.

A

Connection here you know, and we had the first navy was created here and launched right across.

A

The river, so hopefully I can convince them and tie that in that way, and then dar and sons of.

A

Liberty, because there are a lot of revolutionary or that time frame people buried up in there. So.

A

um That's where that project stands right now so, and it was not part of our responsibility.

B

But our next weed lobster raffle at the elks will be proceeds to go to dar nope, no yeah, no they're.

A

Going to be given to there's a state program that um buys in all the wreaths for christmas.

A

Time to put on the headstones of war veterans and the elks are going to do for revolutionary.

A

Headstones here in the city of portsmouth, but they they have to purchase morgan, knows how to.

A

Have they have all those wreaths are purchased and the dar will help distribute them? Okay, going.

A

Forward so, but they want to be a part of it. I was at a meeting and the dar wants to be more.

A

Active in our cemetery, helping out with the cemeteries going forward- and there is money.

A

Available through the national, so that's one of the grants I'm going to look into.

A

Even if it's only a thousand dollars it's better than.

A

I don't want to keep anything they want.

F

um You're welcome. Thank you again. The meeting michael motion. Well, no.

D

We don't need a moment, I'm working so hard to be official and I don't even have to be.