The year 2007 has passed by with significant accomplishments and changes at our cemetery. First and foremost, the Board of Trustees has chosen to contract the lawn maintenance with Pexton Cemetery Services. This will include all mowing, trimming and leaf removal. The duties of Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent have been reduced to grave sales, burials, administrative duties and coordination of repairs and projects.
During the past year, several projects and improvements were accomplished. A spring pruning of trees was completed by Griffin Tree Services. New York State DOT removed several large rotted maple trees on the turnpike roadway. The roof on the main chapel was found to be badly deteriorated and was replaced with a metal roof. Renovation of the small cottage (west side) was continued with foundation and interior work. The painting of the iron fence was continued and hopefully will be completed this season. Inner roadway improvements were also continued. A voluntary committee also commenced documentation of graves in the old section of the cemetery. Many of these graves were unregistered.
Anticipated improvements and projects have been designated by the board and staff and include the following:
1- complete painting the iron fence
2- remove tree stumps from turnpike roadway - NYSDOT
3- repair turnpike roadway cement retaining wall - NYSDOT
4- tree replacement by Town Of DeWitt (Advisory Conservation Commission)
5- cemetery sign
6- continue old grave documentation.
The New Year also finds the Board of Trustees with several changes:
President-
Richard West
Vice President- Mary Garlow
Secretary/Treasurer- Robert Reals
Auditors- Louise Zgardzinski, Duane Dix, Burt Myers, Ronald Osborn, Alice Streiff, Greg Titus.
Superintendent Of Cemetery- Roger Baker 469-5347
Assistant Superintendent Of Cemetery- Peter Maylone 476- 0184
Ample burial plots are still available and prices remain the same with the following exception of winter burials. Winter burials may be conducted, but depending on the weather and ground condition, are not encouraged. Snow removal and damages resulting to the surrounding terrain can significantly increase burial costs.
Both the board and staff would like to extend a sincere thank you to those who volunteered to help maintain and improve our cemetery. Special thanks is due to John Tily and Pete Torak who have stepped down after many years of service. Anuone with an interest in assisting wiht improvements and projects is welcome to contact the Superintendent. As always visitors are welcome to enjoy the beauty, historical and educational significance of the cemetery, a key part of the community.
The Cemetery Association has a not for profit statue. Contributions are tax deductible and the cemetery would appreciate contributions and being mentioned in people's wills. We struggle to pay for perpetual grave maintenance. Years ago folks bought plots for $50.00 or less a grae site, with 50% of that invested in the perpetual care fund. They continue to expect a well kept cemetery, even though the money spent to purchase the grave doesn't begin to pay for the perpetual maintenance. We do it through wise investing and a few endowments given to the cemetery during the past.
