Adams Cemetery Commission Looks To Utilize Chapter 90 Funds
 The Cemetery Commission is hoping to use some of the town's recently Chapter 90 funds to complete paving in Bellevue Cemetery. |
ADAMS, Mass. — The Cemetery Commission last week rounded up some last-minute projects they would like to see in the fiscal 2016 budget.
Meeting Thursday, Commissioner Bruce Shepley asked if the cemetery may be able to benefit from Adams' recent increase in Chapter 90 funds.
Gov. Charlie Baker's release of the remaining $100 million in Chapter 90 highway money will raise Adams' share from $291,820 to $437,729.
Cemetery Supervisor David Nuvallie said some of the money may be able to be used to finish up the Bellevue Cemetery paving, of which 75 percent is done.
"It would be nice to get $40,000 and finish up Bellevue," Nuvallie said. "We did the old sections ... which were the worst sections first."
Chairman Robert Ciempa asked Director of Community Development Donna Cesan if funding for paving would be possible. She said it "sounded good" to her and that she would will look into it.
Ciempa said many repairs to the cemetery that were included in the commission's five-year plan still have not been completed.
"We had a five-year plan to get the whole cemetery paved, and there were a few years where they weren't paving in town," Ciempa said. "Now we are working into the seventh year, we have one phase left, and we have been trying to shell out $45,000 every year to keep the funeral directors happy."
The commission also agreed that the priority project would be the Maple Street Cemetery walls that have deteriorated over the years.
Commissioner Lawrence Clairmont suggested looking for historical grants because the wall is historic.
Ciempa said this will be his final year serving on the commission. He said both of his children are heading off to college and he has more family commitments now. He will finish his term and leave in April.
"I have done a lot of things in the period I have been here, and I have had a lot of fun," he said. "We have had some challenging experiences, but it’s been amazing."
Nuvallie said there are four lots for sale in Section O in Bellevue Cemetery.
Tags: cemetery commission, Chapter 90,
