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Ad Hoc Crematory Study Committee Tuesday, March 12, 2019 Public Samuel Hadley Public Services Building DPW Training Room, 201 Bedford St, Lexington Committee members and liaisons present: Narain Bhatia, George Burnell, Judith Crocker, Msgr. Paul Garrity, Bridger McGaw, David Pinsonneault Judy Crocker called the meeting to order at 7:08pm. Working Meeting to Draft the Interim Report The assembled members and liaisons worked to construct a working outline for the interim report to be presented to the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting. Documents used included the public hearing power point, the Committee's charge, a draft outline by Ms. Crocker, and a draft guidance document submitted by Mr. Flynn. Points to be incorporated in the interim report include: • The Committee's Conclusion, including why this is an interim report • The Cremation Process - including explanation of a viewing area, processes that we control and those we do not • Background - what we know versus what we agree on • Pertinent Research • Assumptions/Uncertainties • Equity and Financial Implications • Next steps - future committee work The Committee discussion include the following: • Cases is the proper term for bodies • High volume is less stressful for the retorts versus low volume • There needs to be a 10 hour service window to accept cases • Buy the retort after have funeral director buy -in. • Previous operational feasibility information provided by Mr. Padaki • Begin with one panel freezer (3-5 cases). HVAC can more easily maintain these units. • 40% of U.S. funeral homes have a retort • Assumptions: o Is there a market? o Town Manager must communicate with other towns. o Market rate - needs to breakeven over time o Lexington fronts capital for low rate but a third party could potentially manage moving the service forward