1997-04-30City of Beverly
Board of Cemetery Managers
Meeting Minutes: April 30, 1997
Present: J. Dunn, E. Wood, L. Ward, Chair, and P. Seamans, Clerk
1. Approval of meeting minutes of previous two meetings. Motion to accept by J. Dunn, Second by E.
Wood. Voted unanimously.
2. Review of Cemetery finances: There are three sources of funds from cemeteries: Sale of lots, Income
from Perpetual Care T rust Fund and Sale of services.
A. Income from services such as grave opening goes into the general fund of the city
B. Income from the Sale of Lots is kept sepante; Expenditure by the Board of Cemetery
Managers; fund currently has $130,000.
C. Perpetual Care fund yields income for use for care of cemeteries. For past several years, city
has drawn $50,000 of this interest income to the general care fund to subsidize city cemetery operations.
3. There was discussion of "Above Ground" Burial options which should be explored as potential
expansion capacity for Beverly cemeteries. L. Ward observed that such facilities have not been successful
in New England, but that in time these negative attitudes may well change.
4. Discussion followed about how best to explore expansion capacity in existing cemeteries and potential
development of the Cole Street site. It was agreed that P. Searoans would write a draft R.F.P. to explore
these options. for presentation to the Board of Managers at their next meeting.
5. The Commission then set goals for the next 60 days: A. set a price schedule for cemetery services, and
B. set new prices for cemetery lots; both to be submired to City Council.
6. There was consensus that lot prices should not be raised until adequate notice of price increases could
be accomplished, and certainly not before lot applicants presen~y on the waiting list could complete their
purchase.
7. The Board then pondered a residency requirement for the purchase of lots. At a subsequent meeting,
this recommendation might be made to City Council to amend existing ordinances.
8. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:00.