1999-03-10 City of Beverly
Board of Cemetery Managers
Meeting Minutes: March 10, 1999
Present: Mr. Wood, and Seamans, and Ms Cotreau
Approve minutes of Previous meeting: Moved by Ms Cotreau, second by Mr. Wood,
Voted
Review of events since last meeting: Letter to Mayor William Scanlon relative to utility
of Moraine Farm parcels of land for cemeteries.
Applications for lot representation: None presented
Program of activity for Fiscal Year 2000: Discussion centered on the turf remediation of
Section 7 in Central Cemetery and Plan 14 in North Beverly Cemetery.
Board asked Mr. Seamans to explore the cost of a six foot fence to be placed behind Plan
6 at Beverly Farms Cemetery
Other Business: Second annual cemetery clean-up scheduled for week of March 21 to 26.
Adjournment at: 7:00 PM
Next Melting: Wednesday, April 14, 1999 at 5:30 PM at City Hall
City of Beverly
Cemetery Division
MEMO:
February 24, 1999
To: Mayor William Scanion
From: Peter Seamans
Re: Use of Moraine Farm parcels for cemetery expansion
The property valuations prepared by Walden Associates are flawed in themselves and
value the properties with different restrictions than those proposed by the Batchelders
should the City use the land for cemeteries. The 1991 conservation restriction limits
construction activities to a 30,000 square foot "building envelope" set back a minimum of
300 feet from Conant Street on either lot. Such an envelope would anticipate clearing the
land of all trees for building, yard and drives. The City would be required to preserve all
mature trees. Therefore, the value to the City would seem to be less than the $125,000
value assumed by the Walden report.
A full burial lot is three by ten feet and sells today for $200; the endowment contribution
of $400 is additional. 30,000 square feet would yield 1,000 graves and $200,000. At the
purchase price of $125,000, break-even at currant rates is 626 graves or 18,750 square
feet of clear space. If the definition of mature tree can be "reasonable", then it seems
reasonable that acquiring lots 9 and l0 would be at least a break-even opportunity forthe
City.
The lot between Hannah Village and Frankwood Avenue would be of particular interest
for development as a cemetery. Most of this lot is usable as burial space and there would
be little development cost. There is an abandoned roadway through this lot to Moraine
Farm from Dodge Street. If this road could be used through Moraine Farm as an egress
from the cemetery, so much the better. Alternatively, perhaps an easement through
Hannah Village could be arranged. There is some encroachment on this lot from abutters
on Frankwood, mostly to dispose of yard waste, and a finished lawn behind the home at
70R Dodge Street.
Finally, a home run could be struck if lots 9 and 10 could be connected by land of
Hannah Village, set aside as green space, to the above parcel. A connecting road could be
easily built, visual shield could be planted, and a cemetery plan continued throughout the
combined parcels. Such a plan would give the sundry parcels critical mass for operadon
and maintenance.
Future generations will think us provident if we acquire any land for cemetery expansion.
TurfRemediation:
New areas of 10,000 square fee~:
3 inches of loam: .25 X 10,000 ~ 100 cubic yards of loam
Loam: $12.95 per cubic yard; 100 cubic yards ~
Spread Loam: eight hours ~ $135 per hour '-
Hydraseed @ $.05 per square foot --
Total each
Existing cemetery in 10,000 square foot sections:
Residential lawn chemical treatment:
Aeration, overseed and fertilization by rows:
$1295.00
$1080.00
$500.00
$2875.00
$1750.00
$550.00