Council donates remaining infant plots and waives opening/closing fees for Joseph Fund

During public comment a resident described the Joseph Fund, which helps families cover burial costs for infants, and asked the council to partner by waiving opening and closing cemetery fees for 23 plots at Rest Haven that the fund intends to buy. The presenter said the fund would pay $3,450 to buy the plots and asked the town to waive the usual $150 opening/closing fee to prevent additional expenses for grieving families.

Council members responded with support; one member moved to donate the remaining plots to the Joseph Fund and to waive opening and closing fees, asking the town attorney to draft clarifying language. The motion passed with council approval. The council noted the revenue impact would be modest (a few hundred dollars per year in foregone fees) and that staff would present the implementing details for record-keeping and ordinance compliance.