Bucksport Cemetery Committee Weighs Maple Tree, Marker Plans

[0:00] Chris Johnson: Channel 1303 and stream simultaneously on the Town of Bucksport's YouTube channel, viewed by accessing bucksportmaine.gov. Questions or comments may be submitted before or during the meeting by calling 307-8030. All right, our roll call. Chris Johnson. Here. Linda Moore. Here. Steven St. Peter. Here. Mary Wall. Here. John Tarrion. I am here. Okay. How about the minutes? No motion, a second, all those in favor. All right, we don't have much on our agenda today as far as Oak Hill goes. I haven't gotten any information that there's been any further assessment of the maple tree. Does anyone else know of anything? I haven't seen anybody over there. Yeah, so I don't think there is, unlikely to be anything happening there anytime soon anyway, but I'll follow up just to check in with Kevin to see if he's heard anything. See, we were hoping [1:34] Speaker B (unidentified): to hear from Jay again, right? I mean, this company's been dissolved, he's into a bigger, better company, I assume. Yes, he's advertising himself as a member of that company, or representative that company. I don't know, I thought he was supposed to get back in touch with us, right? I agree, someone [1:56] Speaker C (unidentified): was going to look into the what [1:58] Speaker D (unidentified): the original scope of the work was. Yes, I went back and looked, I think I forwarded [2:07] Chris Johnson: that back in the loop back to town manager, so it was, it's, it's solving, and even what, even the words that are written don't really cover the conversations that were had in that, we, I remember in our discussions we talked about it including trimming, but it's hard, it's hard to tell from the written document, so I just don't think that we've had it too much progress there, but I'm [2:57] Speaker E (unidentified): not sure what our next step should be. I don't think the issues [3:00] Speaker B (unidentified): are going to go away. It's the uncertainty of the, of the hole in the crotch or whatever. I remember they were waiting for a leaf out to see what it did. [Chris Johnson: Right. It was] a big issue, but you're still going to have a maple tree there that's, I think, distressed, but I don't see it getting any better if it is bad. [3:29] Speaker C (unidentified): It definitely won't get better, it's got a split in it. If anything, it'll get worse. [3:36] Speaker E (unidentified): Also, there's going to be a storm, I think, this [3:38] Speaker D (unidentified): weekend. Watch that tree, see if there's any damage afterwards, just in case. Everybody's be safe, please. [3:54] Chris Johnson: So do we have a concern? I mean, we had said we wanted it to be looked at while it had leaves. It's not gonna have these for very much longer. The only thing is, we anticipated that was in the original amount we've already paid, and now that is debatable and there's no other money set aside for this year. So whether or not it's an estimate on future work? The [4:34] Speaker B (unidentified): first thing you've got to figure out is what's going on. As you know, I voted to take it down so I'm kind of biased on that, but it might be the easiest way to deal with it, just take it down before it does, it falls down and does damage to the stones in the area. That would be my big concern, but I understand the beauty of the tree. I have obviously a lot of acreage of trees myself, but to me it's just the worst thing. I know this is heresy, the worst thing in this, in any cemetery is a tree. It needs a lot of maintenance and a lot of potential destruction and I know we took a lot of trees out of that place along the front there too, this one on Franklin Street, and I hate to say any tree died, but there was a point after a while but it becomes a nuisance, and I think this one has already become a nuisance, especially if you look at the roots in the root area, the root crown with the twisted stones and things of that nature. Did we [5:38] Speaker F (unidentified): Did he ever get a price on taking it down? [5:42] Speaker C (unidentified): Yeah, that's what you recommended last meeting is that we get a quote on removing the tree. I don't know who was going to do that, but I know it wasn't me. [5:55] Chris Johnson: Right. I mean, Kevin is our contact with Jay. I just don't think that Dave, that I know of, they haven't had a conversation about the tree. Usually he would send an update if he had information. I know that when we had the very first estimate that we had from Jay, actually I have the document, was that he had said if necessary a full removal would be 10 to 15,000 because [6:35] Speaker B (unidentified): it was going to have to maybe use a crane, you said with a crane [6:40] Speaker F (unidentified): necessary so it [6:44] Chris Johnson: indicates on there the first phase climb and target prune, also crown rays and while climbing and pruning further investigate the tree for cabling and bracing, so that was in that was in the ask that we had. That's the most information we had when it came to, I think the bill maybe that we received had even less information, but that this must be where we had the indication that there would be an investigation in that what he called phase one, then we went back and said we don't, we can't look at a Job in terms of phases, we need to know if it's going to also include cabling and pruning. That we would count that as one cost, and that's what put us over the threshold of the issue with the cost before, right? Because he had said that in that case, phase two would be climbing and pruning of another four thousand, and if feasible, cable embracing two thousand. So they're all concept, but so do we not have the feedback on the investigation for the need for cabling embracing? It doesn't seem like that part happened. No, I mean which we thought was part of phase one, which is what we've paid for, what [8:20] Speaker C (unidentified): he confirms right there it's part [8:23] Chris Johnson: of phase one. Yeah, it's written as part of phase one, so [8:32] Speaker C (unidentified): I think Kevin needs to have a conversation. [8:36] Speaker D (unidentified): So [8:50] Chris Johnson: I don't think there's anything else. Yes, you need a [9:03] Speaker B (unidentified): motion to for the record to request Kevin have a conversation or is that something that's not necessary just I'm just trying to put it up there for the record not to put pressure on Kevin because it does great work you [9:17] Speaker E (unidentified): go, I have [9:18] Chris Johnson: a lot. I don't actually know we, I don't think that are that we need that we quite function that way. I could be wrong then. I'm not putting Kevin, trying to put [9:30] Speaker B (unidentified): Kevin on the spot so much just make sure it's in the record somehow that 's [9:34] Speaker C (unidentified): what was that, rain? Yeah, wait, it'll be in the minutes for [9:52] Chris Johnson: 917, the granite markers [9:55] Speaker E (unidentified): are, that's been clarified, is that correct? So yes, the town manager has said [10:05] Speaker C (unidentified): that the reviewer could have the granite markers, and I've talked to Ryan and forwarded that message to him, the plaque. I took that, I have the plaque, I [10:27] Speaker B (unidentified): wonder where it went by today, but then you know somebody's got it, and unless you have [10:31] Speaker C (unidentified): another use for it and I hope I can keep it there's a story there 's [10:39] Speaker B (unidentified): seven been granite markers, and then it's the stone that the plaque was on, and that's been split. Mr. broke the best, those granite markers are nice, but you're [10:49] Speaker C (unidentified): paying about pulling those things, right? I was happy to happen, he has a new [10:54] Chris Johnson: purpose in mind, so since we had no easy way of removing them and getting them up there anyway, I think the solution that Kevin had mentioned last time, if we didn't have those, for just to put stakes at the corners of 917, so I think we still do need to do that, I [11:25] Speaker B (unidentified): think that would be much better than the granite markers having to bury those in there were seven of the granite markers in one stone. Pulling them out, they're probably going to be around, what, three or four feet long, somewhere in that range. And putting those back in the ground would be more than a challenge. It would be a risk. And [11:50] Speaker C (unidentified): If you wanted a fence around 917, we could do something like Oak Hill, a chain fence. Although, it's made out of plastic, so no telling how long would last up there with wildlife right but we could get the stakes as you know like simply cuz that don't kill mm-hmm the town crew and I [12:22] Speaker D (unidentified): Could help mm-hmm and [12:27] Chris Johnson: Just for informational purposes I was just gonna let you know with the buck cemetery I think I sent you the email back whenever it was in hmm late July or August I had the person reach out that said that they were looking to film so that kind of went to the point where they thought they were going to and the idea was that I would notify public safety in advance dance, so they were not going to go inside, they were going to film from the outside. When you're outside on the street, you're outside on the street, right? And so they had asked me what would be the process of getting, requesting access, because I told them it was a closed cemetery. And he was curious about the access but then at the last minute once he once I informed him that now director Winchester said that it is a violation of law to be in a cemetery after dark then he said okay he was going to consider are going on the Silver Lake trails instead to do some work there with his with his equipment so I think he's maybe moved on from that idea but he is very much aware what's allowed thank [14:16] Speaker C (unidentified): You yeah I know Chris and I indicated it wasn't a good idea yeah [Speaker E (unidentified): Can] I go back to oh yeah to the to the plaque sir can I keep that [14:35] Speaker D (unidentified): Plaque you want it someplace it was the plaque that was that Riverview [14:42] Speaker C (unidentified): Explaining that the stones came from 917 [14:54] Speaker B (unidentified): I'm not sure that it's not a moment of pride either for the town whoops I don't think the time to honor put it out there to be honest with you so what I [15:06] Speaker E (unidentified): That mentions that yes but the summit the church and the cemetery both [15:17] Speaker D (unidentified): Mentioned on the block the one out there yeah this so anyway you know if like if [15:26] Speaker C (unidentified): You approve it that I that I can have the plaque I'll put up the Wilson all news actually the story that could be written mm-hmm pull with it do you [15:38] Speaker E (unidentified): Think there's anything we need we should do I think that's really a decision you [15:46] Chris Johnson: Anyone have any opinion on what happens to the plaque? I'll make a motion to [15:50] Speaker B (unidentified): allow very well to keep the plaque that was at the Riverview Cemetery. I need [15:54] Speaker E (unidentified): second that as well. Great, it still happened. Okay, so we have a motion, a [16:10] Chris Johnson: second, all those in favor, opposed, staying. Okay. [Speaker C (unidentified): Other] items not on the agenda. Is this when you want to nominate the next summer? Mentioning that we had not, we said we were going to pick somewhere else to focus now that the, and now that Oakhill and 917 are under control. So what were you thinking? Well, I'm [16:54] Speaker F (unidentified): in fear because it's so dazzle. I agree small [17:09] Speaker C (unidentified): cemetery should be as costly near [17:14] Chris Johnson: as costly as Oakhill. So we'll be coming back around to budget cycle. If something needs to be done that's going to have cost, then we'll just need to get that figured out in advance of a new budget. Do you all have enough familiarity with that site? There does, Kevin, to know what might be needed? I [17:46] Speaker C (unidentified): don't. I would, I don't have a count on but stones need to be repaired or straightened. Do know, do no one needs corner post but fence possibly didn't [18:04] Speaker D (unidentified): that have a split barrel fence? You know, Kevin said that was a used fence from [18:09] Speaker C (unidentified): someplace that [18:15] Chris Johnson: may, maybe that's another question. Forget the best way if he just wants to do an assessment and let us know if he can the next month or two or [18:30] Speaker C (unidentified): Or I could have Whitney, if you'd like, do an assessment. [18:35] Speaker F (unidentified): Well, yeah, because she'd be the one doing the cleaning. [18:38] Chris Johnson: As far as the stonework, we can do that anyway. So do you want to go ahead with that? [18:45] Speaker C (unidentified): I can ask her. She should be up at least one more time. [18:52] Speaker B (unidentified): If the criteria for selecting these cemeteries for the future is visibility,, the Page Cemetery on Route 46 is just as visible. It might be something you would add next to your list. That has a need for a new rail repair that has metal pipe rails that need to be repaired, and pretty much the perimeter could be brushed out, but I think the stones are in relatively good shape from my memory, but that's a very visible cemetery, even at 50 miles an when you go flying by and it's up on the hill, you still see it there. [19:30] Speaker F (unidentified): And it does have the stone that says Page Cemetery right in front. [19:38] Speaker B (unidentified): The Belantra Cemetery is in the same neighborhood as the Lawrence Cemetery, which is right across the street in the woods there. But again, that's not that visible unless the town goes in there once or twice a year and mows the brush out of the way. And you can see there's a Revolutionary War veteran in there who was also a member of the British Navy or Army. So they used to put both flags up there, but I don't remember if they got flagged up this year. But that's right, it's not right across the street, it's about 20, 30 yards up the road on the riverside of the street. And that's the Lawrence Cemetery. But the landfill definitely is the most visible. I think basically because it always had a fence of some kind around it, but that old fence had to go, it wasn't. You had the experience of the tree coming down on the land of the cemetery, so it should be a pretty good idea of what's going on there. That's [20:36] Chris Johnson: enough for me. Okay. Let's put that on the list. Any other items not on the agenda? [20:45] Speaker E (unidentified): I personally [20:49] Speaker C (unidentified): regret the fact that this is Chris's last meeting, and I'd like to thank you for being a part of this committee. [21:05] Speaker B (unidentified): MR. Thank you very much, Larry. I appreciate it. MR. [21:07] Speaker C (unidentified): I hope you the best. MR. [21:11] Speaker B (unidentified): I appreciate all the comments I've received. It's not easy. [21:38] Chris Johnson: I do think we'll want to have a meeting next month just to get updates and see to see if we can get any more information. Do you think October we should plan to meet? [21:57] Speaker C (unidentified): Hmm. Okay. Let's see if there's any interest in someone joining the committee. [22:05] Speaker E (unidentified): Yeah, we need to... [22:07] Speaker F (unidentified): I think... What about Ryan? I mean, he... I talked to him about it. He seemed to think it was... [22:16] Speaker C (unidentified): I did send him a message. [22:21] Chris Johnson: We, this reminds me that we had started the process of saying, what our committees, you know what I mean? Like, I have a question that for tonight, actually, when we're reviewing committees, that cemetery isn't listed on the list of council committees, and, because I feel like it's, it functions somewhat differently than all the other committees, so I think you had mentioned it, Chris, at one point. [22:52] Speaker E (unidentified): is it even is committee the right word like okay so I'm not sure I know there [23:05] Chris Johnson: was wanting to be work on what the makeup of the group would be and how just looking at all committees and how they function and what the membership is so I think that this is another point to [23:25] Speaker E (unidentified): look into that to see what we actually should have chair the most recent it's [23:33] Speaker B (unidentified): The word I want to say, charge and mission statement for committees, I believe this is conservation committee, has a real excellent description of what their, but their responsibilities are, but I've yet to see one and the others, and maybe it's just because I haven't found, but there should be a purpose statement why these committees exist and what their purpose is and what their limits are, right, and [23:57] Chris Johnson: And I think something we're reviewing tonight has a sentence or two about each of the committee's like regulatory and services like those committees, but it doesn't include everything, I don't think it includes conservation either, but I know it doesn't include cemetery, so, I think some work has been done, but it's just not all complete [24:25] Speaker E (unidentified): yet, but I will get some more information on that. The conservation one was put together, I think, more [24:33] Speaker B (unidentified): recently because the committee itself was put together more recently, and whoever put it together, it may have been Roger, put that, shall we say, preamble in there describing the purpose of the committee, and I thought, boy, that would be something the other committees might look at. They, you folks have more important things to do, I'm sure, I'm [24:57] Chris Johnson: not sure who actually does that, right, I mean, so that's my other question, right, is who will be doing that work, who [25:15] Speaker B (unidentified): and when. And, Chair, while there's a pause here, I just want to say thank you for your leadership on this committee. You've been terrific. You've done far more than you should have. When I see a committee chairperson take minutes and set agendas, it's a rare sight. I do appreciate all the extra work you've put into this and the leadership you've given, and you have a straight way of thinking about things that I admire. I wish I could be as organized. that you've done a great job and I really appreciate, I appreciate the [25:51] Chris Johnson: comment, but I feel like you all have far more expertise about all these things, and I do, I basically just make the agenda and take the minutes, okay, so I got out my phone to look at the date, October, if we stick with the second week, second meeting of the council, the fourth week, that's always [Speaker E (unidentified): welcome] to come as a member of [26:37] Speaker B (unidentified): the public thank you I will be involved I think with cemeteries where I probably hang my hat for a while at least and monitoring the town has a lot of records that I haven't had access to yet even though it's been offered and as well as the Catholic Church has offered to help get their records out one of my goal is to have all that information scanned available digitally digitized so we don't lose it still a couple of cemeteries that have said no they don't want to do that but I do have some records from them. But all I'm trying to do is get this stuff together and help the town in the future, because the town's going to want this stuff. Thank [27:23] Chris Johnson: Were you checking your calendar, Larry? [27:25] Speaker C (unidentified): No, I just write that down. 4.30, same time. 4.30, yep. [27:33] Chris Johnson: There we go. Okay, we have a motion to adjourn. So moved. Motion and a second. All those in favor?