Cemetery Commission Meeting: February 10, 2025

Present:  Lynne Grettum, Greg Miranda, Mike Warren, Melissa Cumming, Paul Constantino, O’Neill Mazyck

Absent:  None

The meeting was called to order by Chair Grettum at 7:05 P.M.

Review of Meeting Minutes from January 13, 2025

The meeting minutes from January 13, 2025 were reviewed by members and approved as written by unanimous vote, 4-0 (P. Constantino missed that meeting and abstained from vote).

Superintendent Report (see attached report for details)

No burials; no lots sold.

Superintendent Mazyck obtained a laptop computer for Cemetery Department work.  Asked about usage of our CemeteryFind database, O’Neill reported success with the data entry process and remarked upon the very good customer service from company representative Patrick Dooling. Superintendent Mazyck has desk space at the Highway Department, and is having weekly meetings with HD Superintendent Metcalf to stay in touch; members approved of maintaining regular communications.

FY25 Updated Financials and FY26 Budget Update

Chair Grettum presented the chart of FY25 financial standings updated to 1/30/2025. Lynne planned to attend a meeting the following day for FY26 budget discussions.

QR Sign Design Review

M. Cumming presented a copy of a design for signs that would provide a QR code at cemetery entrances in order to refer visitors to an online copy of the Princeton Cemetery Rules and Regulations.  The design was obtained in cooperation with the sign making vendor, Perma-Line. Members approved of the sign image design but were concerned that the proposed size of 12”x18” was too large; the sign should be easy to observe without being overly intrusive.  Melissa will ask the vendor to reduce the size closer to that of a sheet of paper (e.g. 9×12), and order enough signs for all the Princeton cemeteries. During discussion, an idea was raised about using the vendor to create signs to post historical information, such as the date established; there was interest as a future possibility.

Long Range Plan – Mission and Data Discussion

Stemming from the discussions last meeting, Chair Grettum drafted a mission statement for the Long-Range Plan (LRP).  The draft was approved by members. A discussion ensued regarding information gathered for other sections of the LRP so far, as outlined in the town guideline. L. Grettum presented a handout containing data gathered from town records including a 10-year history of Princeton deaths and burials, 5 years of cemetery revenue data from lot sales and burials, and some projections for Princeton population numbers, which covered much of the information needed regarding target customers.  Lynne’s handout also included some information about industry trends from the National Funeral Directors Association, which relates to future needs and desires of our residents. One major trend has been a shift away from full burials of embalmed remains to the use of cremation, with a current margin of 2:1, which may or may not involve burial of the cremains.

M. Cumming and M. Warren put together findings regarding the offerings of the organization and the resources needed to deliver the offerings, respectively, which will be incorporated into the report.

One important piece of information required is the number of grave lots currently available in the town cemeteries (primarily in Woodlawn, South and North); best estimate to be provided by Superintendent Mazyck.

While not a separate section in the report, financial information regarding current and future costs of cemetery offerings will factor into the LRP.  A draft paper was distributed by G. Miranda regarding a survey of cemetery fees and services in a variety of regional towns as compared to those of Princeton.  An additional section concerning actual costs to provide services is in progress.

It was decided that L. Grettum and M. Cumming would share responsibility to co-author an initial draft of the LRP, using the input obtained from the other members.

Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours before meeting – None.

Topics for Upcoming Meeting

Follow up on progress of the LRP draft, and review information to date on cemetery fees and costs as regards fee schedules for Princeton.

Schedule Next Meeting

Chair Grettum scheduled the next meeting for Monday March 10, 2025 to start at 7:00 P.M. in the Town Hall Annex – Small Meeting Room and remotely by GoToMeeting.

A motion was made to adjourn, seconded, and passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 8:36 P.M.

Submitted by Greg Miranda, Clerk