Cemetery Commission Meeting: March 10, 2025
7:00 pm Annex (small) and Virtual
6 Town Hall Dr, Princeton 01541
Published on: September 30, 2025 at 8:11am
Last modified: September 30, 2025 at 8:11am
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“The listings of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the Chair 48 hours before said meeting, which may be discussed at the meeting. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by law.”
Topics for Discussion
7:00PM
- Review and Approve 02/10/25 minutes
- Superintendent Report
- Long Range Plan – continue discussion including
o Fees
o Burial cost
o Inventory update
- Items not anticipated by chair 48 hours before meeting
- Agenda items for next meeting
Present: Lynne Grettum, Greg Miranda, Paul Constantino, Mike Warren, Melissa Cumming, O’Neill Mazyck
Absent: None
The meeting was called to order by Chair Grettum at 7:03 P.M.
Review of Meeting Minutes from February 10, 2025
The meeting minutes from February 10, 2025 were reviewed by members and approved, after two name corrections, by unanimous vote, 5-0.
Superintendent Report (see attached report for details)
The QR code signs referring to online Cemetery Rules & Regulations have been purchased. An example was exhibited at the meeting and met with member approval.
The solar lighting fixtures illuminating the cemetery flags need replacing. ‘Commercial’ models which should last longer and be repairable are being researched; the cost may be around $400 each.
Long Range Plan – Continued
Information was provided by G. Miranda regarding both comparative data on cemetery fees in various area towns and an analysis of the actual costs to provide cemetery services in Princeton. The results were discussed in relation to current pricing and long-range planning.
Princeton cemetery fees were last evaluated in 2021and underwent increases at that time. Some of the other towns have not changed fees for many years, contributing to lower prices in those cases.
Princeton lot prices are not in need of increase at this time; they are above the overall average although equivalent to the other more expensive towns. Princeton burial fees are very much in line with the other towns and are just a little higher than the overall averages.
Analysis of the actual costs involved with burials indicated that expenses are less than the fee charged, which was reassuring. The differential varied between the burial situations (i.e. full or cremation; weekday or Saturday), and ranged from $50-170.
It was agreed that current burial fees are sufficient for now and not in need of increase.
It was proposed that the LRP should include a mandate to review cemetery fee pricing at maximum intervals of 5 years. Significant changes in actual cost should be taken into account more quickly.
The inventory of available grave lots was discussed, with information provided by Superintendent Mazyck.
Lots available in Woodlawn Cemetery include around 46 in the 1956 section, 20 in the 1986 section, and 10 in the Main section, for a total of about 75.
North Cemetery may have about 10 lots, mainly cremation.
The number of lots in South Cemetery is uncertain, depending upon the suitability of remaining areas for development. Assume around 15 at present with possibility for additional.
The total of available lots in Princeton Cemeteries is approximately around 100.
The number of annual burials has averaged about 10/year over the past 10 years. That may increase as the general population ages.
At current rates, the 5-year outlook for the grave lot inventory in Princeton appears sufficient. Problems may be anticipated in the 10-year outlook.
Uncertainties in the long-range outlook include changing burial trends, with more people opting for cremation and the option to bury multiple cremains in a single grave lot. Alternative burial methods (e.g. green burial, composting, etc.) may also factor into future planning.
Maintaining sufficient lot inventory is the most critical aspect of long-range planning, as opposed to the concerns of ongoing maintenance of cemetery grounds and provision of suitable burial service as outlined in the mission statement. The situation is stable at the moment but must be addressed in the future.
Items not anticipated by the Chair 48 hours before meeting: None.
Topics for Upcoming Meeting
L. Grettum and M. Cumming are planning to finalize a draft of the LRP for review at the next meeting.
Members should review the most recent project updates prior to the next meeting in preparation to discuss prioritization for work in the summer of 2025 and longer range planning.
Schedule Next Meeting
Chair Grettum scheduled the next meeting for Monday April 14, 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 8:31 P.M.
Submitted by Greg Miranda, Clerk