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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-07-17-CSC-min�y w -AOR yrry . Minutes of the Lexington Ad Hoc Crematory Study Meeting n July 17th, 2019 APRIL&", II,E XI NGTQ� Location and Time: 201 Bedford Street; 2nd Floor Training Room; 5:00 P.M. Members Present: Judith Crocker, John Flynn (Board of Health), Sara Iverson, Bridger McGaw Members and Others Absent: Narain Bhatia, George Burnell (EDAC), Msgr. Paul Garrity (LICA) Others Present: David Pinsonneault (DPW liaison), Sandy Beebee (Capital Expenditures liaison), Suzie Barry (Chair, and Board of Selectmen liaison), Carolyn Kosnoff, Nick Nichols (Appropriations liason, arrived 5:55pm), Sanjay Padaki (Appropriation liaison — arrived 6:10pm) Documents Presented: Most documents, including the financial analyses, discussed Ad Hoc Crematory Study committee meetings can be found on this shared google drive: https;A drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GgbEsOCpzhUbYXXoxKaa6jfOtYdU5FW?usp=sharing The Ad Hoc Crematory Sturdy Interim Report to 2019 ATM can be found here: htt s://www.lexingtonina.gov/sites/lexingtonina/files/uploads/article2ad hoc cremato1y interim re port april 2019 v3 hos ok 4.3.19. pdf Ms. Barry called the meeting to order at 5:07pm. The committee unanimously approved minutes from the May 29th, 2019 meeting. Ms. Barry stated that the Town has no intention of introducing an Article to fund the Westview Cemetery Maintenance Building in the 2019 Fall Special Town Meeting. The STM is preliminarily planned for the 2nd week in November. The committee reviewed Mr. McGaw's updated financial analysis on a potential Lexington crematory, which can be found in the google drive. The analysis was updated to reflect conversations with Matthews Products, a leading manufacturer of retorts, and energy pricing from Mr. Pinsonneault. His calculations results in a $975K construction cost estimate for the crematory at Westview without contingencies and the cost of constructing a gas line to the building. Ms. Barry brought up that some members of the Select Board have expressed reservations about expanding reliance on natural gas in Lexington. Mr. McGaw's operating analysis, assuming 825 cremations/year and 1.5 additional full time employees, results in an annual operating budget for the crematorium of $273k. The number of cremations the Westview Crematory would have to conduct in order to breakeven in this scenario ranges from 574 to 1212 depending on the price charged for cremations. Mr. McGaw, for the next step in his analysis, volunteered to research how to handle depreciation and to add in the cost of the gas line. There was some discussion whether a potential crematorium would have to fulfill the new Integrated Design Policy Regulations. Ms. Barry gave a status update on the survey the Town Manager sent to 107 nearby communities. Only 28 responses were received at the time of the July 17th meeting. All but 3 communities denied any interest in building a crematory. 2 of the 3 communities that expressed an interest provided no additional information and there was some speculation they may not have understood the survey question. One community expressed interest in being part of a municipal agreement. Ms. Barry Page 1 of 4 Lexington Ad Hoc Crematory Study Meeting May 29, 2019 informed the committee she intended to follow up with abutting towns who had not yet answered the survey by the next meeting. The committee reviewed the list of next steps listed on the last page of the The Ad Hoc Crematory Sturdy Interim Report to 2019 ATM. There was a discussion whether Lexington could outsource running the crematory to an outside entity given its tax exempt, non-profit status; Mr. Pinsonneault agreed to follow up on this topic with Town Council. The committee concluded that, even if the Town would be allowed to enter into such an agreement, the financial outcome would likely be the same or worse. Ms. Barry, observing that all of the next steps were near completion, suggested that the committee could vote for its final recommendations in the next meeting, and the report could be ready in time for 2019 Fall STM. The next meetings are scheduled for August 20th, 2019 at 5pm and October 1St, 2019 at 7pm. Ms. Barry suggested inviting the newest member of the Sustainable Lexington committee, who is also an expert on crematory emissions. Mr. Flynn has drafted recommendations for the committee to vote on, which Ms. Barry will include in the next agenda packet. The committee adjourned at 6:30pm. Municipal Crematory Survey Questions -Summer 2019 (*=must be answered) Page 2 of 4 Lexington Ad Hoc Crematory Study Meeting May 29, 2019 *1. Does your community currently own and operate a municipal crematory? Yes �,.,. No 2. If your community DOES own and operate e c eioo °o yy, what, year did it, go oy e o °ional 3. If your community DOES NOT currently own and operate a municipal crematory, has your community ever considered owning and operating a municipal crematory? Yes �,.,. No 4. If your community IIAS considered owning and operating ating e municipal c eioo °o y+ but, ° it, didn't iooee forward, please explain w y ,m *5. What is the name of the closest private crematory to your community and how far away is it in miles from your community? Name of closest private crematory: Distance from your community in miles: *6. Has your community ever considered being a member of a regional municipal crematory? Yes �,.,. No Page 3 of 4 Lexington Ad Hoc Crematory Study Meeting May 29, 2019 Page 4 of 4