2037.11 Handbill, Report of Committee on New Cemetery, August 25, 1894

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REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON NEW CEMETERY. . . . . .0 .0 At a legal town meeting of the inhabitants of Lexington, held August 25, 1894, under Article 3, " To hear the report of any committee that may be ready to act thereon," Mr. A. S. Parsons for the Committee on Site for the New Cemetery, made the following report :— The Committee appointed to consider and select a site for a new cemetery, report as follows :— The Committee began their duties by announcing through the local paper, by a notice in the post -office and by mailing notices to such persons as they thought likely to be interested, that they would give a hearing at which all persons interested could appear in person, or by communicating their views by let- ter, regarding the best site for a new cemetery. - Much to the disappointment of the Committee not a person appeared nor was any communication received. This indiffer- ence to the subject accounts probably for the frequent postpone- ments of the matter in town meeting, but there is urgent need for some decision, as there are but very few lots remaining for sale in the present cemetery and it is the work of years to pre- pare and make ready for use a new location. If the town is to continue to provide Lots for the burial of the dead, something should be done at once. There are more things to be considered in the selection of a site for cemetery purposes than would appear at first thought. Among -these are,— Ist. Accessibility from the different sections of the town. 2d. Remoteness from thickly settled portions of the town or those which may become such. 3d. Suitable soil free from rocks, sand, clay, moisture, etc. 4th. A situation attractive in itself and capable of being made more beautiful by landscape gardening, the planting of trees, etc. 5th. The opportunity for extention if the needs of the future require more room than it seems best to provide at present. 6th. Safe distance from any water supply which might be contaminated by its use for the purpose. Applying these requirements to localities which suggest themselves, it is astonishing how many have to be at once dis- missed, and the choice is limited to but very few sites. After examining many places your committee find them- selves agreed that the lot recommended by the former committee —the H. V. Smith place—is, save in one particular, the best suited for cemetery purposes of any which they have considered. The only objection is its distance, especially from East Lexing- ton. Some of the committee feel that this is a sufficient reason for discarding it, others think its merits are sufficient to over- come this one objection. All the members of the Committee agree that if this objec- tion be held by the town to be conclusive against taking it for a cemetery, the lot owned by the estate of the late George Mun- roe, on the northeast corner of Lowell street and Woburn street, containing about eighteen acres, is the next most desirable site, and that either would answer very acceptably the needs of the town for the purpose. They recommend, therefore, that the town secure either by purchase or by taking the land under the laws of the Common- wealth, if necessary, one or the other of these lots and tit it at once for the purpose of a cemetery. Respectfully submitted, ALBERT S. PARSONS, A. BRADFORD SMITH, - CHARLES T. WEST, CHARLES H. WISWELL,. ABBOTT S. MITCHELL, LEXINGTON, Aug. 25, 1894. Committee. Some discussion ensued and it was finally Voted—That the report be accepted and the committee be discharged, Voted—That the report be printed and a copy mailed to every name on the voting list, and that the report be published in the next annual report. A true copy from the record. Attest : LEONARD A. SAVILLE, Town Clerk. Lexington, Aug. 25, 1894.