Hazardville Cemetery Update: Had a very productive meeting this evening with the Enfield Cemetery Association (ECA). Learned a bit of history in the process ... Did you know that the local cemeteries were first started by the Enfield Womens Club? Did you know that the investments of the founding group were placed in stocks? Did you know that the stock market crash whipped out the value of the stocks, but the group never sold the stocks? Did you know that the value of those stocks has climbed over the years so that the ECA is one of the most financially sound public/private cemetery associations? Did you know that the Town of Enfield owns 60% of the land at our local cemeteries? Did you know that the Town of Enfield contributes about 16% of the ECAs annual operating budget? Did you know that a group of local residents form the Trustees of the ECA? Did you know that the ECA published a book about six years ago that reviews the historical significances of the local cemeteries? I got to buy me one of those books! Just a bit of history that helps you appreciate the history and mission of the association. Although we cannot undo what was done last week at the Hazardville Cemetery, we can make sure that what happened never happens again. During out meeting, we discussed the following. Those in attendance from the Town of Enfield were Town Manager Matt Coppler, District 1 Town Councilman Joe Bosco and myself. Those in attendance from the ECA were three Trustees including William Hosley and Superintendent Jeff Buckley. 1. Town of Enfield to assist with the creation of a website for the ECA linked to the Town of Enfield website. 2. Town of Enfield to assist with the creation of an ECA e-mail system. 3. Town of Enfield to assist with the ECA with mass notification systems such as QNotify, Twitter, Facebook, etc. 4. Town of Enfield to assist with determining capital projects to improve the cemeteries such as the internal roadways. Many of the roads within the cemeteries need to be reconstructed / repaved. 5. ECA to step up their monument / marker repair efforts this year. Typically the ECA spends $20,000 per year to repair grave stones that have fallen into disrepair. Trustees will look to increase this annual commitment to preserve the history in the cemeteries. 6. ECA Trustees will meet this Monday to review their policies regarding items left at the grave site. The ECA Trustees at the meeting discussed the desire to allow families to mourn and celebrate the lives of their departed loved ones at Hazardville. The ability to place statues, flags, planters, etc. at the graves is what makes Hazardville so unique. 7. ECA Trustees did discuss the problems that they have with certain items left at the grave sites that are seen as over board, such as shot glasses, empty beer cans, empty cigarette packs, cigarette buts, beer glasses, small items placed on the ground, etc. Might see a policy restricting these types of items that pose problems for lawn and snow maintenance. 8. Discussed setting expectations and a routine for cleaning the cemetery, versus a surprise cleaning or clearing once every six or so years. 9. ECA will discuss the possibility of reimbursing owners for missing items due to the extensive clearing. The folks with the ECA are very sincere and realize that they need to better communicate with the owners of the grave sites. The Town of Enfield is ready and willing to assist to make sure that the communication happens along many different channels. Both groups understand that the preservation of the cemeteries is important, plus the infrastructure needs to be better maintained such as the roadways. Hope this update helps and please let me know if you have any additional concerns or questions.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 03:28:41 +0000
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