Minutes for Board of Selectmen (Town Office) 27 June 2011 @ 9:55 a.m.

Board: L. Ladd, F. Ruch (Temporary Selectman (see appointment for prior meeting authorizing temporary position). Others: Selectmen’s Assistant Patty Summers, Ron Connary  cemetery trustee), Gary Paquette (joined meeting later when stopping by to pay tax bill), Kevin Summers and Morwen Summers.

Meeting called to order by Larry Ladd.    Motion made by Ladd to go into non-public seconded by Ruch under RSA 91-A:3, II (b) re reputation (as previously requested by G. Paquette).

Motion carried.    Voted: 2 vote yes :  Ladd, Ruch.

Patty gave a briefing on the subject matter on a possible problem at Baldwin Cemetery concerning one of the burial plots.  This should be under the  Selectmen’s  Office.  The owner, Gwen Paquette, believes her husband is buried in the wrong plot.  Cemetery Trustees have tried to probe for the urn capsule, but are having no luck.  There are differing opinions on where the right spot to dig is. Gwen Paquette is very upset at this time and wants Cemetery Trustees and the town to find the exact spot of the urn. History is that in 2005 Stanley. Marshall dug the hole for  the urn and Gwen Paquette put the urn in the plot. Some concern also on if stone is in right spot or not.  She hired B. Normandeau to dig whole lot in order to find the urn.  Gary Paquette has indicated he believes plot is in another area but close.

Connary phoned Terri Knowles of the Attorney General Office, Charitable Trusts Unit about concerns on how much to disturb site.  He stated Gwen Paquette gave him permission to dug to find the urn. He was reminded not to disturb any site other than her own without permission. Need to find information on who owns what plots and where they are located. Connary stated he would like to see better maps/records that show Baldwin Cemetery (have never been updated once the town took the cemetery over).  We would need to measure to get exact area.  The map they have is very old and needs more researching to get better information.

At this point the Selectmen, Connary and Summers agreed we should talk to town counsel before moving forward.  Phoned  counsel  for input; Ladd spoke to him while others listened. Counsel suggested we speak to Gary Paquette on any knowledge he may have. He further noted we should go into public session, not public. Selectmen came out of non-public at 10:25 a.m.—all selectmen and prior cemetery minutes to be released as public.

Need to speak to Marshal about the site. Connary suggested digging by hand so equipment won’t disturb the area any more then necessary.  Heard rumor and asked F-Troop if they might have a metal detector or x-ray machine that may help locate the urn.  F. Troop had no suitable equipment at this time. 

Gary Paquette came to pay taxes and was asked to join meeting.  He believes Nelson Paquette urn buried deeper than thought. He believes it may be under headstone.  The plot is next to family plot.  He looked at Baldwin Cemetery map and pointed to where he believes urn may be.

Connary is to phone Gwen Paquette and let her know the Selectmen want to check further into this problem for her.  Connary and Marshall to check site again. 

Meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m. Motion made by Ladd, seconded by Ruch.

Recorded by:  F. L. Ruch