Trustees move to secure town easement, update survey for Poor Farm Cemetery

Brentwood Cemetery Trustees on Feb. 12 reviewed next steps to formalize access and maintenance rights to the Poor Farm Cemetery after a town planner recommended creating a town easement rather than reworking multiple deeds.

Trustees said a new survey drawing should remove the planning-board endorsement and include a note that the cemetery demarcation reflects a town easement interest. ‘‘The cemetery trustees and the superintendent reserve the right to access that for maintenance and upkeep of the Poor Farm Cemetery,’’ said Speaker 1, describing the wording the planner provided. The trustees agreed to ask the landowners (the Sanborns) for written permission; once secured, the town will route the deed work through town counsel.

The select board previously approved paying for the survey; trustees confirmed an encumbered balance from 2025 of $259.58 is available to apply toward the cost. Speaker 2 offered to draft and notarize documents for the file so the easement language remains attached to the property deed if ownership changes.

Trustees also agreed to ensure the updated survey provides GIS-ready coordinates so the cemetery can be added to the town tax map during the planning office’s April update. No formal vote was required on the easement language at this meeting; trustees assigned follow-up tasks to contact the Sanborns, finalize the drawing with Laval Associates, and consult town counsel once landowner permission is received.

The board will review progress at its next meeting, scheduled for March 5 at 4:00 p.m.