Karen Marshall reported that she met with Michael Canales to request $10,000 annually for the Cemetery Commission. She explained the CC does not have an annual budget. Canales said there was no money available due to the added costs of hiring firemen and purchasing a fire truck. However, later $7500 was found in unexpended Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funds. CC discussed spring clean-up – clearing brush and even clearing the Sedgwick Pie. The Pie is privately owned but the CC maintains it and Marshall shared that it might be given to the Stockbridge Cemetery someday. 

With respect to the bylaws related to the CC, it was explained that the rules in the bylaws were taken out, edited, and relisted as “policy.” This allows the CC more flexibility and the ability to make changes without going to Town Meeting and receiving a 2/3 vote as bylaw changes do. SU has requested a copy of the CC Policies. 

Chris Ferraro , a professional landscaper, recommended plantings for the cemetery that would grow to the recommended height (or below) and would not migrate from one gravesite to another.

Editor’s note: Click to view CC Policies. Included in the link below are links to the lists of invasive plants not recommended for planting.

https://www.stockbridge-ma.gov/media/19711

Invasive: https://massnrc.org/mipag/invasive.htm

Likely Invasive: https://massnrc.org/mipag/linvasive.htm

MA Invasive Advisory Group: https://massnrc.org/mipag/