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Lexington Ad Hoc Crematory Study Meeting <br />May 29, 2019 <br />regarding crematories being located at cemeteries being contemplated at this time. A change could <br />be possible in the future but there would be logistical hurdles to overcome, and could take 4-6 <br />years. However, a home rule bill, voted by Town Meeting, could bring about faster, regulatory <br />changes. <br />Mr. McGaw presented his financial analysis of a possible crematory at Westview Cemetery. He <br />calculated the total capital cost, including equipment, at between $900,000 and $1.05m. Some <br />members thought Mr. McGaw's construction cost estimate of $150/sq ft. was too low, and may not <br />reflect the public bidding process. Mr. McGaw responded that the building was just two walls and <br />would be using the existing HVAC of Westview Cemetery. Mr. McGaw had included the cost of a <br />columbarium, but Ms. Barry cautioned this part of the analysis was outside the scope of the <br />committee's charge. <br />Mr. McGaw's analysis concluded over $250k per year would be necessary to operate the crematory <br />assuming only one full time employee. There was some debate if the crematory would need two full <br />time employees or could operate with one full time and one part time employee. Ms. Kosnoff <br />volunteered to provide Mr. McGaw with Lexington's contracted rate for gas. The volume of bodies <br />needed to cover the operating costs was calculated to be anywhere for 542 people at a $475/ <br />cremation price and 1,144 at a $225/ cremation price. There was concern that the surrounding <br />population would not provide a sufficient volume of business for the crematory to cover its operating <br />costs. Mr. Burnell stated that a crematory would need a sizeable viewing hall in order to charge a <br />premium price. He also expressed a concern that with inadequate volume, the retorts would require <br />frequent repairs. He volunteered to work with Mr.McGaw in refining the financial analysis. <br />Ms. Kosnoff informed work on the Town's draft operating budget starts in July and on the Town's <br />draft capital budget starts in August. <br />Mr. Bhatia asked if it made sense to combine funding for the crematorium with the Westview <br />Cemetery project. Ms. Barry cautioned that the Ad Hoc Committee's report needed to be completed <br />first. <br />Mr. Flynn made a motion to adjourn. Ms. Crocker seconded, and the vote was unanimous. The <br />committee adjourned at 6:32. <br />Page 2 of 3 <br />