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April 30, 2008
February 27,2008
November 28, 2007
October 24, 2007
September 26, 2007
June 27, 2007
Glocester Town Hall, Chepachet
In attendance: Evelyn Wheeler, Judy Fardig, Sally Small, Bruce MacGunnigle, Carolyn Crist-Schwab, Lee Teverow, David Kirchner, Robert Butler
Meeting called to order at 6:35 pm by Evelyn Wheeler, Chairwoman
(1) Chairwoman Wheeler proposed a vote on the Rules and Regulations
Sally Small suggested several small changes in wording, and all members agreed upon those changes
Finalized Rules and Regulations as follows (noted changes underlined):
Meetings will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of September, November, April and June, and at the call of the Chair for special meetings
Follow most recent Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised if there is an issue
Quorum shall constitute 50% of current membership +1, members must be present and voting
Notice of meetings to be posted on the Secretary of State website in accordance with open meeting laws
Approved minutes of meetings will be posted on the Secretary of State website in accordance with open meeting laws
Members will demonstrate a commitment to the organization’s mission as stated in the GL 23-18.3.1
Members will contribute his/her skills and knowledge
Members will inform him/herself on issues that affect the organization’s goals as stated in the GL 23-18.3.1
Members will not miss more than three consecutive, unexcused meetings
Chairwoman Wheeler again called for a vote to approve the amended Rules and Regulations. Voted 8-0 to approve.
(2) Chairwoman Wheeler distributed the proposed modifications to RI GL 23-18.3-2 that were the result of a meeting with Karen Ellsworth
It was noted by the Commission members that the quorum in the proposed legisla-
tion was written as 11, with the understanding that additional members would be added. Commission members requested that Chairwoman Wheeler ask that it be modified to read 50% of current membership +1.
Bruce MacGunnigle moved to endorse the proposed legislation with the amendment noted above, with Judy Fardig seconding the motion.
Voted 8-0 to endorse
(3) Chairwoman Wheeler read Ron Onorato’s resignation letter to the Commission
Bruce MacGunnigle moved to accept the resignation with regret, with a second by Judy Fardig.
Voted 8-0 to accept
(4) Historical Cemetery Commissions and Boards: West Warwick Town Council officially approved the Cemetery Commission; Cranston is looking to begin one under the Historical Society or Planning Board
(5) The Route 37 reburial has been rescheduled to May 31st at 1:00 pm at the North Burial Ground
(6) Discussion of possible committees: Promotional and publicity, Volunteer Coordinators, Recruiters for Historical Cemetery Committees
Discussion centered around concerns about cleanups that might be organized, with or without the Commission’s knowledge, and what can be done if folks are not following the proper notification procedure or the “Do’s and Don’ts”
(7) Motion to adjourn meeting and begin Open Forum at 7:55 pm by Judy Fardig, with a second by Robert Butler
Voted 8-0 to adjourn meeting and begin Open Forum
(8) Discussion of the damage that tree roots can do in terms of naturally toppling stones
(9) Thirty volunteers gathered to help the Friends of Smithfield Cemeteries to repair the stones that were toppled in Greenville Cemetery in Smithfield on April 26th. The vandalized stones were back up in 2 ½ hours!
(10)Benjamin Emerson stone with SAR emblem found in Cumberland
(11)Discussion of a cemetery cleanup in Burriville that is thwarted by neighbors throwing grass clippings into the cemetery repeatedly. Attendees suggested doing an article in the local paper regarding the problem, and having the local paper print the laws relevant to the fines if stones are covered up. Other suggestions included making copies of the laws and mailing it to the neighbors that are doing it
Next Meeting: June 18th in Warren. Location TBA
Respectfully Submitted by Emily Corbett
Buttonwoods Senior Center, Warwick
In attendance: Evelyn Wheeler, Edna Kent, Roger Beaudry, Judy Fardig, Sally Small, Margaret “Pegee” Malcolm, Bruce MacGunnigle, Carolyn Crist-Schwab
Meeting called to order at 6:35 pm by Evelyn Wheeler, Chairwoman
1. Report from members on Historical Societies or Conservation Commissions
Below are 24 out of 39 cities/towns:
Charlestown: Charlestown Conservation Commission – Francis Fenner – 364-9964, Appointed by Town Administrator
Coventry: Charles Vacca
Cumberland: Lester Hilton and Michael Scalzi
Exeter: Town oversees, and Town Council president has to give permission for cleaning
Pawtucket: DPW
Smithfield: Friends of Smithfield Historical Cemeteries
Tiverton: Historical Cemetery Commission under Town Administrator
Warren: Warren Cemetery Commission – chartered – Judy Fardig
West Greenwich: West Greenwich Cemetery Commission – Charlene Butler
Westerly: Westerly Historical Society
Little Compton: town oversees
South Kingstown: town oversees through the Town Clerk
Warwick: Warwick Cemetery Commission under Planning Department
Bristol: Bristol Historical Cemetery Commission board
East Providence: East Providence Historical Society – Ray Batcher
Cranston: City Planning Department
Middletown: Middletown Historical Society
Burrillville: Burrillville Historical Society – Ron LaPierre
Barrington has a Cemetery Commission
Hopkinton – Laurie Arruda
Narragansett – Evelyn Wheeler
Block Island/New Shoreham – DPW looks after
Portsmouth – no official group but Herb Hall and Skip Grinnel of Water Dept
West Warwick – soon through Planning Board and Carol Rogers
Sally Small recommended that a complete and updated list (including contact information) be compiled and posted on the website. A volunteer recruiter is needed to approach the other towns not listed above.
2. Rules and Regulations that were voted on last time were reviewed, and modifications were recommended
1. Modify to read: Meetings will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of September, November, April and June, and at the call of the Chair for special meetings
4. Modify to read: Follow most recent Roberts Rules of Order Newly
Revised if there is an issue
5. It was noted that RIGL 23-18.3.2 states that a quorum shall constitute 11 members. Chairwoman Wheeler was urged by the Commission members to recommend that the law be changed to 50% of membership +1
3. Discussion of the Commission’s role when “new” cemeteries are discovered, and what “registering” means. It was agreed that the Commission’s role is advisory only.
4. Item (i) of Title 23 states that a chairperson shall be elected annually, and makes no mention of a Vice-Chairperson. It was agreed that Chairwoman Wheeler will recommend the inclusion of an elected Vice-Chairperson. Further, the Commission members in attendance agreed to table new elections until September of 2008
5. Discussion of Ron Onorato’s resignation deferred to next open meeting
6. Discussion of possible Committees (Promotional, Volunteer Coordinators, Recruiters for each town, School Mentoring) was deferred until a further discussion with Karen Ellsworth on Bylaws can be scheduled
7. Chairwoman Wheeler discussed RIGL’s that are in the works. Chairwoman Wheeler, Pegee Malcom, Sally Small, and Carolyn Crist-Schwab will attend a meeting with Karen Ellsworth – date to be determined
8. Chairwoman Wheeler announced that the Newport County cemetery information index will soon be on the website, thanks to the help of John Sterling and Debbie Nunes
9. Discussion of Mission and Purpose tabled until further discussion regarding Bylaws
10. Next Earth Day cleanup is scheduled for April 19th, with a rain date of April 26th. Chairwoman Wheeler is participating in a large-scale clean-up of Pocasset Cemetery in Cranston, and Cranston has offered dumpsters and volunteers. Carolyn Crist-Schwab discussed the need for oversight and responsibility of volunteers.
11. Commission appointments end in September of this year, and members interested in remaining on the Commission should draft a letter of intent. Chairwoman Wheeler to determine who the letters should be sent to, and will notify Commission members.
Work session adjourned at 8:25 pm on a motion by Chairwoman Wheeler and a second by Bruce MacGunnigle
Next meeting: April 30th at 6:30 pm in Chepachet at the Glocester Town Hall in the Council Chambers
Respectfully submitted by Emily Corbett
Meeting called to order at 6:07 pm
In attendance: Evelyn Wheeler, Edna Kent, Roger Beaudry, Sally Small, Rosemarie Mello, Pegee Malcom, Bruce MacGunnigle, Paul Robinson, Lee Teverow, Dave Kirchner
Old Business: Meeting minutes from October 24, 2007 – several minor corrections were noted Motion to approve minutes with corrections noted: 9 – 0 in favor Next meeting confirmed – April 30th at the Chepachet Senior Center or Town Hall
New Business:
Regular meeting adjourned 8:33 pm Open Forum
Meeting adjourned 8:45 pm
Respectfully submitted by Emily Corbett
Old State House, Providence
Present Chairwoman Evelyn Wheeler called the work session to order at 6:40 p.m. Other Commissioners present were Roger Beaudry, Robert Butler (RI League of Cities and Towns), Daniel Evangelista (Veterans Affairs), Judith Fardig, Edna Kent, Margaret “Pegee” Malcolm, Paul Robinson (RIHPC), and Sally Small. Bruce Frail, grant consultant, was also present.
Discussions A discussion was held on the possibility of requesting that each city or town or local historical society contribute $425 each that would be used for a statewide data base benefiting each city and town. The data base would lead to cemetery improvement through graves registration, cemetery documentation, etc. Edna Kent will draft a letter for discussion at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Chairwoman Wheeler mentioned that the Commission is proceeding with an application for a grant from Preserve Rhode Island, administered through Citizens Bank. Chairwoman Wheeler said such grants are matching and usually total $300 to $1,000.
Bruce Frail submitted a four-page report to Commission members on plans of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War/Department of Rhode Island to restore the St. James/Bernon Cemetery in Woonsocket. Mr. Frail, who serves as graves registration officer and project manager for the SUVCW/Dept. of Rhode Island’s Graves Registration Committee, discussed the report in detail. He estimated the total restoration cost at $139,491 for the 2+-acre cemetery, which had 232 internments, including Henry C. Davis, 17, the first Rhode Island soldier to die in the Civil War.
Chairwoman Wheeler announced that Ron Onorato of Newport has resigned from the Commission.
Chairwoman Wheeler, at the urging of the Commission, will discuss with the state Representatives who filed the bill setting up the Commission the possibility of adding up to four (4) members to the Commission from Providence County. The additional members will be of help with the large amount of historic cemeteries in Providence County. She will also ask the Representatives about the possibility of amending the law creating the Commission to allow for staggered terms and longer terms for members.
(2)
Chairwoman Wheeler discussed a suggestion from the Attorney General’s Office that the Commission adopt rules and regulations. Among the suggestions discussed by Commission members were: having a quorum equal fifty (50) percent of Commission members, plus one (1); and for the removal of any Commissioner who misses three (3) consecutive meetings.
Daniel Evangelista discussed Rhode Island Public Law 30-25-12 that calls on the General Assembly to appropriate money from time to time to care for the neglected graves of veterans. He said there might be the possibility of obtaining money for the clearing of graves and their surroundings through the law. He said he will try to determine the last time money was appropriated for such purposes, if ever, and whether money is still in that account, if ever appropriated.
Pegee Malcolm asked about the possibility of obtaining a sign for State Institutional Cemetery #2, where internments are being re-buried. Mr. Evangelista said he would find out.
Adjourment The work session was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. on a motion by Judith Fardig and a second by Daniel Evangelista.
Next Meeting The Commission will meet on Nov. 28 at the Buttonwoods Senior Center, West Shore Road, Warwick. The Commissioners will meet in public from 6:30 to 7 p.m. An executive session will be held at 7 p.m. An open forum session will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Meeting called to order at 6:35 pm
Members present: Evelyn Wheeler, Edna Kent, Roger Beaudry, Judy Fardig, , Pegee Malcom, Bruce MacGunnigle, Carolyn Crist-Schwab, Rosemarie Mello, Sally Small, Charlotte Taylor, Robert Butler
Old Business
I. Minutes of Regular Open Meeting June 27, 2007 • Approved 9 -0
New Business
I. Upcoming meeting schedule (all regular meetings will be held the last Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm)
- Work Session: October 24th at RIHPC (150 Benefit St. Providence) to coordinate statewide clean-up, discuss rules and regulations for the Commission, and to complete Citizens Bank “Preserve RI” grant application
- November 28th at Buttonwoods Senior Center, Warwick
- April 30th: Chepachet Senior Center?
- May 28th: Warren Senior Center?
- Sept 24th: West Greenwich?
II. Next statewide clean-up is November 3rd
- Keep Blackstone Valley Clean and Environmental Services in Providence have offered the use of tools, gloves, bags, etc… to aid in the clean-up
- Commission is taking suggestions for cemeteries that need cleaning
III. Charlotte Taylor from RIHPC
- Federal law protects cultural resources of states, but cemeteries are often not eligible for the National Register
- The RI Cemeteries Act protects cemeteries, but RIHPC does not have direct authority – the Act gives the towns and cities authority
- RIHPC will write letters to towns/cities regarding the preservation of cemeteries, but their main role is to assist in ensuring that the archaeology is done properly
IV. Discussion regarding Citizens Bank “Preserve RI” grant application ($500 - $1000 match required) due by October 29th
- State House can help to set up a bank account
V. Report on Book deliveries
- The general consensus was that the Book was well-received by the majority of the recipients
- Bristol and Barrington almost complete – need 2 more big books and 1 more small book
- Burriville, Scituate and Foster are almost complete – 2 more to deliver (Burriville HS and Foster Library)
- Johnston City Clerk, Portsmouth, Middletown, New Shoreham, Jamestown, Glocester, East Greenwich, Cumberland, Woonsocket, Lincoln, Smithfield, North Smithfield, Barrington, Coventry, Exeter, West Greenwich, Warwick, West Warwick, Cranston, East Providence, North Providence, and South Kingstown are completed
- Bruce included information on East Greenwich Cemeteries in all the books he delivered
VI. Upcoming Events
- Senior Fair at Warwick Mall on October 10th 9 – 4 – looking for volunteers to help staff the booth
- Cultural Fair at Foxwoods on October 20th – looking for volunteers to help staff the booth
VII. Report on West Greenwich Cemetery GPS coordinates project
- 103 of the 153 recorded cemeteries have been done
- Work should be completed within the next two months
- John Sterling and others are assisting with the project
VIII. SUVCW report: Bruce Frail
- St. James Cemetery in Woonsocket restoration project going well
- To date, 180 burial locations, including all 14 veterans, have been identified
- The owner of the property is interested in donating the land, and the hope is to restore the property into a park and cemetery
IX. Individual Town and City Cemetery Commissions
- Warwick, Tiverton, Coventry, Barrington, Warren, Westerly, Narragansett, Smithfield, Cumberland, and Charlestown all have either a Commission, or a division of their Historical Society that focuses on cemeteries
- West Warwick is looking at creating a Commission
X. Other New Business
- Newport Daily News: September 25th did a story on the photographic documentation of the Common Burial Ground in Newport
- Volunteers are needed for GPS readings of cemeteries to be submitted to RIGIS
- Planning on coordinating with Hendricken Community Service to get volunteers to help with cemetery clean-ups, etc…
- Eugene Card (Scituate) looking for volunteers to help get cemetery clean-up debris loaded in a dumpster this weekend – volunteers can contact him by phone
Open Forum
- Discussion of the smallpox cemetery located on Naval War College property – attendees were seeking advice on who to contact regarding this cemetery, which is now covered by a tennis court
- Common Burial Ground Commission – discussed placement of new sign in 2005 and Newport’s Park Warden involvement
- Scituate Library is looking for the full RI Historical Cemeteries database
- Attendee interested in doing a documentary on historical cemeteries in RI – requesting advice and contact person suggestions
- Barrington Cemetery Commission has a retired teacher who has offered to take photographs of stones
- General discussion on the need to document the stones in cemeteries; including transcriptions, photographs, mapping; as much as possible since the stones that are legible now may not be legible 25 years from now
- Discussion of a property owner in Newport whose driveway appears to be encroaching on a historical cemetery
Meeting adjourned 8:05 pm
Respectfully Submitted by Emily Corbett
Meeting called to order at 6:35 pm
Members present: Evelyn Wheeler, Edna Kent, Roger Beaudry, Judy Fardig, Pegee Malcom, Bruce MacGunnigle, Carolyn Schwab, Rosemarie Mello, Robert Butler.
Old Business
I. Minutes of work session on May 30, 2007 • Approved 9 -0 to waive reading of the minutes, Accepted 9-0
II. Report on findings for contacts at town halls regarding cemeteries 1 Distributed form for noting any additional contacts, returned to Evelyn
New Business
I. Discussion regarding next year’s meeting schedule 1 Approved 9-0 to continue moving location around state 2 Approved 8-1 to continue holding the meetings at 6:30 pm on last Wednesday of the month
II. Books are ready for commission members to be delivered to their counties. • A copy will go to each Town/City Clerk, Assessor, Planner, Historical Society (if applicable), and Library. • Separate copy to each Town/City Department of Public Works and Police Department • Books will be delivered to the above personally and each commission member will make note of the delivery.
III. Discussion regarding opening a checking acct for Tax Exempt app • Voted 9-0 to go through the Secretary of State and check into Certified Local Government status
IV. Discussion on a Fall Cleanup state-wide • Approved 9-0 to schedule one for the first week of November
V. Report on State House visit by Pegee and Evelyn • 9 Ordinances were presented to Karen Ellsworth, Counsel for the Finance Commission • Informed that ordinances involving giving descendants right of way to pass and re-pass on private property were not going to be approved • Two were on the calendar, but were passed over and will be reintroduced next session. Others will be reintroduced also.
VI. Other New Business • Bruce MacGunnigle distributed References to Cemetery, Cemeteries, Burial, and Burials in East Greenwich, RI, Charter, Comprehensive Plan and Ordinances
Open Forum
Representation from Chepachet, Pawtucket, Johnston, Smithfield, North Smithfield, East Greenwich, Cumberland
I. Don Gagnon, Chair of the North Smithfield Conservation Commission thanked the Commission and Edna for their assistance with helping to get the “mystery mounds” registered and stopping a developer from building on the site
II. West Greenwich Town Planner working on recording all historical cemeteries on Plat maps, and considering making the cemeteries a separate lot, having separate ownership for them, or including deeded access to them
III. Coventry is developing a Historical Cemetery Commission similar to the existing Warwick Historical Cemetery Commission
IV. Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War are working on a clean-up and fixing 90 stones at Intervale Cemetery North Providence.
V. Offer to assist by publishing article/photos regarding vandalism and needed clean-ups
VI. Representative from Rhode Island Historical Society Library brought a patron request for information on Potters Fields in RI – many attendees provided information
VII. Discussion regarding the work that the Friends of Smithfield Cemeteries is doing with cleaning up cemeteries, documentation of before and after photos, and logging GPS coordinates
VIII. Question from a Chepachet resident regarding a cemetery that abuts her backyard and impact on a property owner behind hers request to build an access road to his property through hers because his property is land locked and the access road would go right next to the cemetery.
IX. Blackstone Valley Tourism, as part of “Project Clean America” will provide loaner equipment and supplies to assist in cemetery cleanups
Next Meeting: September 26, 2007 6:30 pm at the Newport Public Library Meeting adjourned 7:55 pm
Respectfully Submitted by Emily Corbett
