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y �y MEMORANDUM
Kitt
Ito Town Meeting Members Association, DATE. 8/20/75 PAGE.
Executive Committee
Local Funeral Directors SUBJECT' NEW SCHEDULE OF CHARGES--
Minute Man Publications WESTVIEW CEMETERY
The Westview Cemetery Committee appointed by the Town Manager to advise and
assist in the development of Westview, has studied the problem of financing
the planned expansion This included an assessment of the adequacy of the
schedule of charges for grave sites and internment services which have been
in effect since 1950.
The Committee's study showed that Westview's charges have been seriously
inadequate and out-of-date. A new schedule of charges has been developed
which fits the current situation This schedule has been reviewed and
approved by the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen and is now in effect
In order to give the public an opportunity to know of and comment on the
planned increase in charges, a public information meeting was held by the
Committee on August 6. Lack of any public attendance has caused the Committee
to use this public notice method of advising interested parties of the new
schedule and reasons for it.
In summary the situation is as follows
1. The full development of Westview Cemetery will be costly, but manageable
when spread over the next 25 years as planned. It involves adoption of a
master plan which will be carried out in phases over the next few years, on
a schedule which will insure having available an adequate inventory of lots.
Copies of the Westview development plan are available (on a return basis)
through the Town Manager's office for reading by any interested citizen
2. The new schedule of charges should enable the Town to carry out the
capital development program without subsidy from the tax rate Actual maintenance
costs will continue to exceed the income from the Perpetual Care Trust Fund
and therefore, this will continue to require subsidy via budget appropriation
by Town Meeting
3 The increase in charges which the new schedule represents, while
substantial, does not bring Westview above (in some cases less) most other
public cemeteries. The lot charge includes the provision for perpetual care,
which will still be insufficient to meet the current maintenance costs
The Committee willmake an annual review of the schedule of charges and recommend
any changes necessary to meet future conditions.
FROM Walter C O'Connell, Town Manager
COPY TO Board Members
8-21-75
CO1-Y TO Board Members
8-2 1-75
SCHEDULE OF CHARGES FOR WESTVIEW CEMETERY
Effective August 7, 1975
Schedule of Charges
Grave Sites
Single graves permitting double interment $225.00
Single graves for single interment 175.00
Children's graves in baby section 60 00
(2, 3, or 4 grave sites are multiples of above)
Service Charges for Opening Graves
Double interment (deep) 150 00
Single interment in single grave or upper level
of double interment site 100.00
Surcharge for Saturday opening 50 00
Surcharge for Sunday opening 100.00
Opening child's grave in infant section
(under three years) 35 00
Opening child's grave in family section
If hand dug 35.00
If machine dug 100.00
Opening for Cremains 30.00
Foundations
For grave marker 30.00
For grave marker in children's section 15.00
For bronze flower vase 15 00
For metal flower container and foundation 7 50
Veterans
The charges shall not exceed the allowance established by the Veterans Administration
which currently are-
(Grave Site - no charge Wife and Children of Veteran - regular charge
Grave Opening - regular charge
Indigent or Unidentified Persons or Hardship Cases
A number of grave sites suitably distributed throughout the cemetery will be
reserved for indigent or unidentified persons or members of families experiencing
severe financial hardship. The Cemetery Committee may, where circumstances justify,
waive all or a portion of the price of a grave site and/or interment charges.
Revision of Charges
The Cemetery Committee shall at least annually, review the schedule of charges in
effect and shall recommend to the Town Manager any changes in the schedule and any
charges for additional services which it considers appropriate
AUG 2 11975