Adams May Build New Storage Facility At Bellevue
The Cemetery Commission understands that something needs to be done, but wants to consider all of the options before determining exactly what to do.
The Cemetery Commission agreed Thursday that something needs to be done about the current storage arrangements at Bellevue Cemetery. But the commission asked Mazzucco to consider other options before expending $100,000 from the cemetery fund to erect a prefabricated metal building.
"I guess I would want to know a more realistic cost so that we can base a decision on more concrete information," Commissioner Bruce Shepley said.
"We are asking for variations and we want to know the viability of the current structure…but I do understand that if something is in disrepair and you are going to get 50 years out of something new that’s an investment."
Currently, there are two storage buildings at Bellevue Cemetery: a concrete building that needs roof repairs and wall repairs and a wooden structure that is on the brink of collapse.
The commission felt that it may be possible to save the concrete building but the wooden structure has to go.
"When I worked up there that place was falling down," Commissioner Jim Taylor said. "It was in rough shape back then, and I can’t imagine what it is like now."
Mazzucco agreed and said that building will likely come down this year but said it may be best to buy a prefabricated metal building that could last 40 to 50 years instead of making repairs to the cement structure that could at any time fail.
"If we go that route we will be looking at 40 to 50 years out of a steel building instead of dealing with the current one five to ten years down the road," Mazzucco said.
There are two storage facilities on the site now, but town officials agree that the wooden building can't be saved.
He said the metal building would be partially heated but mostly cold storage for cemetery equipment.
Taylor said there is a newer heating system in the cement building and Mazzucco said if it is affordable the town would try to reuse it.
Mazzucco said he would not want to install a bathroom in the building because it would have to be ADA compliant, which would be expensive.
Instead, he advocated for installing outdoor composting toilets that would have the bonus of being accessible by the public.
He said they can still look at repairs to the cement building and possibly installing a more inexpensive and smaller shed unit.
Mazzucco said town meeting would also have to approve the project and he felt the funds should come from the cemetery because it is an expense the town would not have if they did not have cemeteries.
Mazzucco agreed to go on a site visit with the commission, get closer estimates, and get cost estimates for other options.
