HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-03 MinutesABANDONED CEMETERY COMMITTEE
July 3, 2014, 3:00 P.M.
Meeting Room 1A
Present: John Bate, Chair
Blair Smyth
Bonnie Seto
Terry Maye
Laura Suchan
Councillor Ron Hooper
Also Present: Anne Greentree, Municipal Clerk
Ken Mercer, Parks Lead Hand
Teresa Aide, Cemetery Services and Records Clerk
1. BUSINESS ARRISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES
a) Tyrone Cemetery
John informed the Committee of the situation at the Tyrone Cemetery, being
that Tyrone Cemetery has been fenced off by the land owners and they are
not allowing cemetery access to the public and our grass cutters.
Anne informed the Committee that the Municipality is governed by the
Funeral, Burial and Cremation Act and this matter is now in the hands of the
Municipal Solicitor, Andy Allison who is actively working with the land owner's
lawyer to resolve the current situation.
b) Brush Clean-up
John inquired with Ken on the timing of the cleanup of the branches fallen
during the ice storm at the Enniskillen Cemetery. Ken informed the
Committee that cleanup has been prioritized and Operations should soon be
able to attend the abandoned cemetery in Enniskillen.
c) Grass Cutting
John informed the Committee that the grass cutters are all arranged and have
been actively working this year. All of the cemeteries are being maintained
very well with the exception of the Tyrone Cemetery.
John inquired with Ken on the status of the Brown Family Cemetery also
known as The Cabbage Patch in Newcastle. Ken informed the Committee
that he has not been there since 2013 and will investigate the property soon.
Abandoned Cemetery - 2 - July 3, 2014
Committee
2. NEW BUSINESS
a) Rod Iron Fence — Hampton South Cemetery
John reported that the rod iron fence that was donated to the Hampton
Cemetery is piled up and waiting for installation. Anne advised that costs for
installation will be included in the proposed 2015 budget to for Council's
consideration.
b) Grass Cutting Rate Increase
John proposed a 2% raise in 2014 for the grass cutters and forwarded Anne
the invoice for approval. Anne will investigate the possibility for a fee cutting
rate increase.
c) Cemetery Tours
John proposed setting up two dates for the Cemetery tours; one to tour Clarke
and the second to tour Darlington. John will arrange for a bus to transport the
Committee. It was agreed that the Darlington Tour would take place on
Thursday, July 17th beginning at 9:00 a.m.
d) Deceased Inventory
John informed the Committee that Clarke Township has an inventory of all
deceased in the abandoned cemeteries and requested that the Committee
compile a similar inventory for the abandoned cemeteries in Darlington
including pictures of the monuments and all information regarding the
cemetery. Anne informed the Committee of Stone Orchard Software and
suggested that it be used to manage all the information. It was requested that
pictures be taken on the next tour. Laura will email Teresa a blank inventory
form to be used to collect the names/dates on the monuments.
John confirmed that Cemetery #1 in Darlington was determined to have been
washed into Lake Ontario.
e) Monument Cleanup
It was agreed that the agenda for this year's cemetery's stones to be cleaned
include:
Old Methodist — Enfield
Rehoboth
Advent
Providence
Abandoned Cemetery - 3 - July 3, 2014
Committee
3. OTHER BUSINESS
John informed the Committee that they have never had access to the
McNeill/Elliott/Ede Cemetery in Leskard. Several years ago Patti Barrie sent a
letter to the land owners, to no avail.
Terry stated that he was able access the McNeill/Elliott/Ede Cemetery the long
way through field, bush, creek etc., not an easy task, and at that time he
observed that the cemetery was in rough shape.
4. DATE OF NEXT MEETING/TOUR
The next meeting/tour of the Committee is scheduled to be held on Thursday,
July 17, 2014 commencing at 9:00 a.m. Anne will provide two cameras and
everyone is bring their own pen. The group will stop for lunch. The Committee
can plan on returning to Town Hall around 2:00 p.m.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Moved by John Bate, seconded by Bonnie Seto
THAT the meeting adjourn at 3:55 p.m.
"CARRIED"
Chair
Secretary