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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAd hoc Crematory Study Committee - CSC - Revised Charge - May 2019Members: Liaisons: AD HOC CREMATORY STUDY COMMITTEE The Ad Hoc Crematory Study Committee will have seven (7) voting members and (1) member from the Board of Selectmen who will act as a non-voting Chairperson. Membership shall include: • 4 - Town Meeting/Community Representative • 1 -Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association member (LICA) • 1 - Board of Health member • 1 -Economic Development Advisory Committee Member While not part of the Committee, the following committees are invited to recommend a non-voting liaison: • Capital Expenditures Committee • Appropriation Committee Staff Support: Director of Public Works will act as a liaison to this committee. Appointed by: Board of Selectmen. Length of Term: Upon completion of all recommendations to the Board of Selectmen in accordance with the established deliverables schedule as outlined below. Meeting Times: As determined by the Committee. A minimum of one meeting for the purpose of soliciting public comment, shall be required. Committee Goal: To examine public health, public safety, public works, operational, financial, and quality of life issues associated with locating a crematory at Westview Cemetery and meeting the needs of deceased Lexington residents and their families. To assess the following options and provide the Selectmen with recommendations on: 1) Building a crematory adjacent to or connected to the proposed new Westview Cemetery Building. 2) Building a crematory on another location on the Westview Cemetery property. 3) Not building a crematory at this time. Committee Role: The Ad Hoc Crematory Study Committee's study will include but not be limited to the following: 1) Review of Applicable Legislation a. Review of the applicable sections of Massachusetts General Laws c.114 (Cemeteries and Burials). Review of Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regulations regarding Crematories. 2) Evaluation of needs: a. Review of availability of crematory services for residents and project future cremation needs. b. Study the economics of death rates for the area. c. Consider public and private competition in the region and other communities that may be engaged in the crematory planning process. 3) Other Crematories: a. Review of other crematories proposed, established and managed by municipalities in Massachusetts. b. Review of common practices and pricing. c. Review of operational costs and perform modeling to include: various sales price & numbers of cremations per year. 4) Building Options: a. Review siting options at Westview Cemetery. b. Review parking & gathering space needs. c. Estimate the cost to build at siting options presented including size. 5) Operational Feasibility: a. Review estimated annual operating costs, equipment costs, labor costs (including possible outsourcing labor costs) and a program budget. b. Review estimated Capital replacement costs and timeline of such. c. Explore regional grant opportunities that may be applied for. 6) Environment: a. Review of independent research on the health, environmental, and safety risks associated with the operation of a crematory. b. Review options for using alternative energy sources to reduce the environmental impacts. Deliverables: Present a progress report to the Board of Selectmen once per month from May 2019 until completion of report with a report of recommendations addressed to Board of Selectmen on the feasibility of a Crematory at Westview Cemetery. Prior to serving as a member of this committee, members are required to: 1. Acknowledge receipt of the Summary of the Conflict of Interest Statute. Further, to continue to serve on the Committee the member must acknowledge annually receipt of the Summary of the Conflict of Interest Statute. Said summary will be provided by and acknowledged to the Town Clerk. 2. Provide evidence to the Town Clerk that the appointee has completed the on-line training requirement required by the Conflict of Interest statute. Further, to continue to serve on the Committee, the member must acknowledge every two years completion of the on-line training requirement. Reference: Charge adopted by the Selectmen on September 17, 2018 Selectmen designated committee members as Special Municipal Employees on October 29, 2018 Charge amended by the Selectmen on May 20, 2019 to update the date of the Deliverables.