Minutes for Joint Meeting of Selectmen and Cemetery Trustees

held on July 18, 2011 @Town Office

Selectmen present: Larry Ladd and Tim Brooks; Cemetery Trustees present:  Ron Connary , Goulet; Others: Gwen Paquette, Rose Connary, Ruch, Smart, Walling, Mark Garrigan, DeLalla

Selectmen’s Meeting called to order at 5 p.m. by Chairman Ladd

Cemetery Trustees Meeting   -   opened @ 5:03p.m.

Discussion as this point has become repetitive and at a stand still. Brooks asked for discussion on the Gwen burial plot at Baldwin Cemetery. What is the status, what should we do next to solve the situation. Connary would like to know from Paquette what to do. Do we set the headstone? Gary Paquette does not want the headstone placed on his plot. Connary asked Gwen what’s next. Gwen stated she owns the plot. The only thing is the deed doesn’t state exactly where site is or measurements of site. Just that she has the plot and perpetual care in Baldwin Cemetery. Gwen feels she is between a rock and a hard place right now. The issue is that she doesn’t know where Nelson’s ashes are. Gwen would like the urn found.

The way the old deeds were written with no measurements or lot drawings, makes it hard to show proof of who owns what lot. Gary Paquette has his lots marked now. 

Gwen is not making a decision on where the headstone is going until the urn is found. [Note: it is widely suspected, by both family and town officials, that in all likelihood the urn has been stolen, perhaps by a disgruntled family member.] She does feel that the ashes are gone. She has spoken to the Attorney General and was advised to get an attorney. Gwen asked is there any more that can be done to find the urn.  No one knows who filled in the burial site. General discussion followed on what else can be done. Gwen believes she must seek an attorney. Some discussion on if family could talk to Gary about giving permission to dig, then further discussion on who owns what with deeds being so vague.  

Goulet would like to dig one more time [Note: we have dug the whole area in the vicinity of the two different trees from 1 to 3 times at this point to no avail] going down no further then 2 feet in the spot third treed spot Gwen has stated to square off the lot.

Brooks mentioned Gwen will be leaving Saturday on a trip and nothing should be done without her present.  Gwen would like to excavate the last small corner of the plot. Gwen wants a better deed of her plot soon.

Connary stated that the trustees are working on doing drawings and deeds for all lots. He will do what Selectmen recommend once they review proposed forms/procedures. Gwen stated she will not move her lot from the Baldwin Cemetery.

Connary/Goulet motion (approved 2/0) adjourn Joint Meeting of Selectmen and Cemetery Trustees at 5:37 p.m.

Gwen Paquette returned to meeting at 5:53 p.m.  She drew a sketch of the cemetery plot of Gary Paquette site area. She believes the spot she would like to be excavated does not belong to Gary (see sketch). Trustees and Gwen again went back to Baldwin Cemetery to check out the sites again [Note: all sites also checked out last week following joint meeting].

Recorded by F. L. Ruch