Cemetery committee deals with erosion at East Vassalboro site

by Mary Grow

Vassalboro Cemetery Committee members have another item on their maintenance list, after their June 16 meeting.

They were already planning the summer’s work, to include stonework by Joseph Ferrannini from July 10 through July 13 in the North Vassalboro cemetery and tree removal in the Nelson Road and Farwell-Brown cemeteries. Select board members are scheduled to open three bids for the tree work at their June 26 meeting.

Resident Simone Antworth came to the June 16 meeting to report an erosion problem on the east boundary of the East Vassalboro, or Methodist, cemetery, on Bog Road opposite the Vassalboro Public Library.

Land at the edge of the cemetery is washing away, to the point where burials are threatened, she said. She has discussed the problem with Public Works Director Brian Lajoie, who recommended a better drainage system.

Lajoie and committee members need to determine exact cemetery boundary lines, so they’ll know where they can cut brush and improve drainage without trespassing on private property. Once the boundary is known, they can decide what to do, and if necessary talk with the abutting landowner.

In other business, committee chairman Savannah Clark answered two questions left over from the May 19 meeting (see the May 29 issue of The Town Line, p. 3).

She said Vassalboro fire department members put flags on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day, a town responsibility.

When she asked Town Manager Aaron Miller about separate email addresses specifically for members’ committee business, he replied there is not money left in the current year’s budget for technical additions.

Committee members again discussed trees growing in cemeteries – attractive, but as they age an increasing menace to headstones. Committee member David Jenney shared two thoughts: most people don’t realize that trees were not planted, but “just grew”; and given the age of Vassalboro cemeteries, some could be 200 years old by now.

Member Cara Kent asked about trees on private land beside cemeteries that pose a threat to gravestones. Jenney replied that as a landowner abutting Cross Hill cemetery, he would not pay to remove trees; but if the town asked permission to cut trees on his property, he would probably grant it.

Jenney’s question about reappointments to the committee sparked a discussion of how many members would accept reappointment. Jenney referenced Miller’s notice on the town website that select board members will re-appoint/appoint members of seven town committees at their Thursday, July 17, meeting.

The notice includes instructions for filling out an application form. At least two cemetery committee members indicated they would serve again if asked, but might not bother to fill out a form.

Jenney sympathized with residents who do not volunteer, especially people with jobs and families. He understands the reluctance to spend unpaid time on seldom-appreciated committee work.

Cemetery committee members scheduled their next meeting for 6 p.m. Monday, July 21.