Meeting Minutes

June 14, 2023

Annual Proprietor’s Meeting

The meeting notice was on our website and in the Record-Enterprise June 1 and June 8. No proprietors other than Board members attended. Interim President Peter Barnum called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm.

Roll call: Peter Barnum, Dick Lewis, Andrew Sheppe, Missy Mason, Linda Folsom, Kristin Snow, Fletcher Adams. Missing: Barbara Currier, Barbara Fahey, Carole Felten Also in attendance: Reggie Pettitt, Clint Lane

Trustees Emeriti: Peter Barnum thanked Barbara Currier and Linda Folsom for their many years of service. He explained that, as at other institutions, they may attend any Board meeting as they wish so we will continue to have the benefit of their advice.

Election of New Trustees: Reggie Pettitt, Bruce Barton and Steve Siek were proposed as trustees. Fletcher Adams moved their election to the board; Dick Lewis seconded. Unanimous vote in favor. Trustees have a three-year term. Current terms end as follows: 2024-Barnum, Adams, Mason, Fahey, Sheppe, Lewis 2025- Felten, Snow 2026- Pettitt, Barton, Siek

Public Discussion: Clint Lane was given the floor to discuss Trinity maintenance. He explains that expenses were high because focus had been on restoration of the building rather than the grounds for several years. Lane was particularly helpful at fixing the cistern which feeds the fountain and in building a new basin for the fountain as well as fixing the water piping through the cemetery so that water is available at new spigots for lot owners. Barnum thanked him for his work. He also asked that Lane build a structure (kiosk?) for mounting a new 3x5 sign showing cemetery rules. In the discussion, it was suggested that Andrew Sheppe could give a copy of the rules when lots are purchased.

On the subject of trees, particularly the large white pines which define the cemetery, Barnum has consulted with a forester who feels many will last for years. However, there are some with large woodpecker holes today. Reggie Pettitt questions whether insurance covers us for structures damaged by falling trees. He will discuss our policy with treasurer Barbara Fahey.

Barnum has also met with a volunteer who does headstone repair. Reggie Pettitt pointed out the value of recruiting Board members with needed skills. Lane reminded us that we should all be identifying people who might take Board positions when we retire.

Proprietor’s Meeting was adjourned at 3:35 pm.

-- Lemonade and Cookie Interval on Church Lawn --

Trustee Meeting

Trustee Meeting Called to order at 3:55 pm. Trustees Barnum, Lewis, Mason, Sheppe, Folsom, Snow, Adams, Pettitt present.

Election of Officers: Peter Barnum proposed as president. Motion Mason, second Folsom. Unanimous vote in favor. Fletcher Adams proposed as vice president. Motion Barnum, second Snow. Unanimous vote in favor. Missy Mason proposed as secretary, Barbara Fahey as treasurer. Motion Barnum, second Sheppe. Unanimous vote in favor.

Minutes of the October 13, 2022 Meeting: Mason reported they were approved by Trustees via email and phone. Following Susan Webster’s resignation, the trustees approved two resolutions removing her name from the Northway Bank and Bar Harbor Trust accounts.

Finance Committee Report: Fletcher Adams reported that our investments provide just enough for routine grounds maintenance. We have used Charter/ Bar Harbor since 2001. Our advisors still recommend the 60% equities/ 40% fixed income split. He notes that keeping 3% in cash is standard. Current interest rate is 5%. Handout: Investment Review dated 6-14-2023. He is expecting them to be present for questions sometime in the fall.

Treasurer’s Report: Barbara Fahey prepared a written report as well as giving us the profit and loss statements for 2022 and for January to March 31, 2023. She also prepared a proposed budget for 2023. Mason moved its adoption; Adams seconded. Unanimous vote of approval.

Burials and Lot Sales: Andrew Sheppe reported the sale of two Mill Brook lots. There have been five burials-Bill Webb, Wm Harris, Barry St. Cyr, Thomas Verdicchio (arranged by us) and one for Richard Murphy arranged by family. He hopes to have help from trustee Kristin Snow in future.

Continuing discussion about whether we should mark more sites, keeping in mind that the cremation-only sites sell very slowly. Consensus was that the remaining Mill Brook sites may not sell if we design a new area now. We do have corner markers on hand. Possible future price increase also discussed.

Trustee Snow reports that 2,225 of Trinity’s burial sites have been posted to findagrave.com through her efforts and those of the public. Entries include pictures and GPS locations in most cases.

Church Use: Linda Folsom reported that there has been one rental for August 19 as a Church Island backup location. Carole Felten has agreed to take on Linda’s duties.

Website: Minutes and new board list will be posted after approvals.

Other issues: Peter Barnum has a large board printed with cemetery rules which will be posted. He is concerned that mowing be made simpler by removing obstacles and that lot owners be aware of our expectations. Barnum also spoke with a Sandwich resident who repairs stones gratis.

Maintenance of Grounds: The son of a Holderness School employee will mow and weedwhack this summer.

Old/New Business: New trustees should contact Mason with their contact information. We need name, address, phone, email for NH. Please specify which of those items should be published on the website.

Pettitt suggested that we might have more attendees at Proprietor’s meeting if we mailed invitations, at least to people who have bought lots the last five years for whom we have current information. It was also suggested that we remind funeral homes and the local Episcopal Church of availability.

Next Meeting: Thursday, October 12 from 3:30 to 5 pm at Holderness town Hall.

Meeting was adjourned at 4:55 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Millicent (Missy) Mason