Select Board OKs up to $1,750 from trust fund to repair Evergreen Cemetery gate

The Searsport Select Board approved repairs to the last remaining cemetery gate at Evergreen Cemetery, authorizing the town manager to spend up to $1,750 from the Evergreen General Care Trust Fund for welding, sandblasting, painting and reinstallation.

James described the gate’s condition, saying one of the support pipes is “completely rotted through” and that the contracted welder provided an initial estimate for welding and metal work. He recommended using trust fund money to ensure the gate is preserved. During discussion members asked whether the $1,750 amount covered removal, sandblasting and painting; the motion as presented authorized up to $1,750 to cover the listed work.

The Select Board voted unanimously to authorize the expenditure, with funds to come from the Evergreen General Care Trust Fund, which James said has a balance in excess of $200,000. A board member later asked about protecting the adjacent fence line from snow‑plow damage; James said staff would explore using large rocks or other measures to prevent snow from pushing the fence over.