Trustees report barn removal, maintenance work and staffing challenges; no rule changes adopted

At their July 16 meeting at the Boscawen Municipal Facility, Lauren Hargrave, Cemetery Trustee, reported the barn south of Plains Cemetery has been torn down by the owner and said a fence installed by the Department of Public Works now separates the cemetery from the former barn site. Sexton Connor Bailey added the fence lies on cemetery property and is maintained by DPW; Hargrave noted a downed front fence at the south side still needs repair and that William Hargrave will look into obtaining materials from Cohen Steel for repairs.

Trustees discussed proposed amendments to the Cemetery Rules and Regulations and noted that any changes would require a public hearing. Connor Bailey reported receiving one complaint about flowers intruding on another lot; he is attempting to contact the person responsible to request trimming or removal. Hargrave said that in prior years Dean Hollins removed items that impeded mowing or were dangerous; other small items were kept behind the PBWP fence. Trustees agreed there was no present need to change the rules but will ask Kellee Jo Easler to enlarge the rules for posting on bulletin boards at Pine Grove and Plains cemeteries.

On operational matters, Bailey reported the annual grub treatment was completed at Pine Grove and Beaver Dam cemeteries; the Webster side was not treated because Webster has a new trustee and that side’s treatment was not paid for. Beverly Lacoy requested that DPW fill and smooth potholes in Pine Grove Cemetery roadways as time permits.

Trustees also discussed membership recruitment. Hargrave said she did not know anyone willing to fill the vacant trustee position and said meeting times—currently mornings—can make participation difficult for younger potential trustees. The trustees agreed they would consider moving meetings to 4:00 p.m. if the meeting room is available and asked Connor Bailey to speak with Karen Bailey as a possible candidate.

The meeting closed at 9:45 a.m. with a motion to adjourn made by Hargrave, seconded by Lacoy and passed unanimously. The trustees scheduled their next regular meeting for Sept. 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.