Cemetery Trustees approve warrant-article development to fund digital mapping of plots

Lauren Hargrave, Cemetery Trustee, moved July 16 that the trustees develop a warrant article to designate either the Select Board or the Cemetery Trustees as agents to expend money from the Cemetery Maintenance and Improvements Expendable Trust (Capital Reserve Fund) so the town can pay for digital mapping of cemetery plots. Beverly Lacoy, Cemetery Trustee, seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Sexton Connor Bailey reported he had discussed the Capital Reserve Fund with "Kate" and that the fund contains enough money to cover an initial cost for digital mapping and an ongoing annual fee. According to Kate, the existing Capital Reserve Fund can be used for cemetery business, "but there would have to be a warrant article at the annual meeting to request the Select Board or Cemetery Trustees be agents to expend the monies," meaning voter approval is required before the funds can be spent for this purpose.

Trustees discussed vendors and noted "there are numerous companies available that have mapping capabilities." Bailey said there would be an initial cost and an ongoing annual fee for the mapping service. The trustees agreed to move forward with developing the warrant article; the motion recorded in the minutes passed unanimously.

The minutes also record a brief discussion of the perpetual care account balance, which Kate stated was $17,021.72; Kate explained perpetual care to the sexton during the discussion. The trustees did not adopt any expenditure at the July 16 meeting; they approved only development of the warrant article, which will go to voters at the annual meeting if finalized.

The trustees set no firm vendor or timeline at the meeting. The next regular Cemetery Trustees meeting is scheduled for Sept. 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Boscawen Municipal Facility; any finalized warrant-article language would need to follow town procedures and deadlines for warrant articles.