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The 311th annual town meeting
POMFRET — In an age when public participation is waning, First Selectman Maureen Nicholson thanked residents in attendance at the Annual Town Meeting for “keeping the spirit of the Town Meeting alive.”
Recognition
Cheryl Grist was recognized for her 40 years of service to the town as Town Clerk and Town Treasurer. She will be retiring in November and residents are encouraged to find an opportunity to thank her over the next six months before her well-earned retirement.
Budget
The proposed budget ($3,383,096 for general government and $11,351-239 for Board of Education Appropriations) was approved by a 55-11 paper ballot vote.
Cemeteries
The only extended discussion centered around the perpetual care fee of $100 per lot collected by the Pomfret and Abington cemeteries. The fee has been the same for decades and does not adequately address the cost of maintaining the cemetery. The three active cemetery associations in town are included in the General Government budget for a total of $10,300 and it was suggested that the Town’s support could be reduced if the perpetual care fees were increased. The cemetery associations are independent of the town however, the town holds the perpetual care funds and provides the interest to the Associations annually (approximately $3,000 each) in addition to the line items in the budget. The perpetual care funds cannot be spent. A non-binding advisory was approved to incentivize the Cemetery Associations addressing increasing their charges.
The general government budget also includes $6,200 that partially covers upkeep of approximately 10 abandoned cemeteries. The Town applies for and has received several grants for neglected cemeteries. Those funds have restored various overgrown cemetery sites, replaced gates, and installed signage. There will be more future work on the historic cemeteries including headstone repair, a web page, and a cemetery tour.
Bulky Waste Facility
Residents also discussed the soon-to-be open Bulky Waste Collection Facility on Nora Lane. Survey respondants favored a 14 day per year schedule to include Fridays and Saturdays. Many useful suggestions were provided by residents in the survey.