HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-05-27-CSCII-minn� orrNitic v Ad Hoc Crematory Study Committee II
Minutes, Meeting of Tuesday, May 27, 2025
, Parker Room, Town Office Building
5:00 PM
Mr. Pato, the Select Board liaison, serving as chair pro -tem called the meeting of the Ad Hoc Crematory
Study Committee II to order at 5:03pm on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, via a hybrid meeting platform.
Members Archan K Basu, Michael P Harris, Rabbi David Lerner, Jyoti Puri, Joseph Su, Dr Jillian Tung,
Judith S Zola attended as did the liaisons David Pinsonneault, Director of Public Works; Anil Ahuja,
Appropriation Committee; and Lisah Rhodes, Capital Expenditures Committee.
Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager for Finance, also attended.
Mr. Basu arrived at 5:10pm, Rabbi Lerner departed at 5:56pm.
1) Approve previous minutes (4/29/2025) — unanimous by roll call.
2) Review individual perspectives on:
a) Unmet needs in the community
The meeting focused on the unmet needs for end -of -life services in Lexington, particularly concerning
cremations and green burials. A member highlighted that Westview Cemetery does not meet the
community's needs, financially or otherwise, and emphasized the growing demand for cremations,
which is expected to increase further due to demographic changes. The discussion also touched on
regulatory changes, environmental concerns related to crematoriums, and the potential for additional
costs and competition if a new crematorium is introduced. Participants agreed that a more
comprehensive data analysis is needed to better understand the current and future demands for
cremation services in Lexington.
b) Issues not considered in previous report
Dr. Tung raised concerns about regulatory requirements and environmental considerations for a
potential crematory project. She noted that the operational cost estimates did not adequately address
necessary monitoring equipment and potential stack testing requirements. Dr. Tung also highlighted
that Westview is located in an Environmental Justice neighborhood, which would trigger additional
permitting requirements and considerations. She discussed various pollutants, including mercury,
PFAS, and radiation from radionuclide seeds, that were not adequately addressed in the first report.
Parker emphasized the importance of occupational health, the need for expert consultation, and the
necessity of accurate patient histories when dealing with cardiac implantable devices and radiation
safety.
Dr. Tung emphasized the need for a formal community needs assessment, which has not been
conducted in 18 years, to better understand and address unmet needs, particularly in areas such as
mental health, special needs, and the aging population. The committee discussed the cost and
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resource intensity of such an assessment, and while it was acknowledged that there are many unmet
needs in the community, the focus should remain on cremation services as per the current scope.
c) Regulatory changes
d) Jyoti Puri to report back on findings from her research trip to a crematory facility in Vancouver
Jyoti Puri presented images and descriptions of two state-of-the-art funeral homes with attached
crematories in California and Vancouver, noting their large capacity to accommodate up to 1,300
mourners and their environmentally conscious practices, such as removing metals and addressing
mercury emissions. She emphasized that these facilities are designed to integrate cremation with
funeral services, allowing families and mourners to witness the process. Jyoti also highlighted the
facilities' openness to all communities and their ability to cater to various burial needs, including green
burials, while acknowledging the challenges and long wait times associated with scaling up green
burial options.
3) Review workplan — deferred to next meeting
4) Review proposed meeting schedule — deferred.
5) Adjourn
Meeting Adjourned at 7:39pm.
Actions:
• Joe Pato to send out a survey to committee members for scheduling the next meeting in
approximately one month.
• All committee members to send ideas on next steps and how to approach moving forward
to Joe Pato via email.
• Anil to reach out to community contacts to gather more specific information on unmet
needs related to cremation services in Lexington.
• Joe Pato to collate and distribute the suggested next steps from committee members.
• Committee members to review and consider how to gather sensitive information about
unmet needs without causing distress to community members.
• Jillian to provide input on how to design unbiased survey questions if a survey approach is
pursued.
• Joe Pato to reach out to Dave Pinsonneault for more detailed data on cremations and
burials in Lexington.
• Carolyn to provide information on the state law requiring towns to operate cemeteries.
• Committee to investigate the current capacity and accessibility of regional cremation
facilities, including the new facility at Mount Auburn.
• Committee to explore the financial landscape and viability of a potential crematory in
Lexington.
Minutes submitted by Joseph Pato, chair pro -tem.
Approved 6/30/2025
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