The Harwich Cemetery Commission moved forward with significant restoration and maintenance plans during its Thursday morning session, awarding a $19,500 contract to John Pourier for gravestone conservation at the South Harwich Cemetery. Supported by a $23,000 Community Preservation Act appropriation, the project came in well under the initial budget, providing a necessary financial cushion for unexpected repairs. Robin, the lead staff member, noted that the lower bid from Pourier—compared to a $27,000 proposal from another conservator—was an easy choice for the town. This makes it a no-brainer, Robin said, explaining that the remaining $4,000 would already be put to use because a leaning stone at the site has recently fallen and now requires a full new foundation. Motion Made by S. [Firstname] to contract John Pourier to go ahead with the South Harwich Gravestone Conservation. Motion Passed (3-0-0).

The commission also dedicated significant time to the aesthetic and historical accuracy of the Veterans Memorial Walk of Remembrance. A proposal for a five-foot-wide engraved step for the walkway sparked a debate over nomenclature and design. While initial drawings used the term War Memorial, Commissioner Steve pushed for a more consistent designation. Can we change it from the 'War Memorial' to the 'Veterans Memorial'? he asked, noting that existing signage and nearby streets like Veterans Memorial Drive and Veteran Circle use that specific phrasing. The commission reviewed several options for the step, including versions with the town seal and varying letter sizes. Commissioner Cindy inquired about the visibility of the text, leading the board to consider three-inch letters over the smaller two-inch alternative. Commissioner Rob expressed skepticism regarding the inclusion of the town seal, stating, I don't think we need the seal on it. Ultimately, the board tabled the decision to request more detailed visual renderings before making a final choice.

Accuracy is also driving a major cross-referencing effort to finalize the names of Revolutionary War veterans for the upcoming memorial engravings. Robin described an exhaustive process of coordinating with neighboring towns like Chatham, Eastham, and Yarmouth to ensure Harwich does not pay for duplicate engravings or miss its own residents. We want to confirm our veterans so we don't have duplicates, as each letter on the memorial costs money, Robin explained. The criteria for Revolutionary War service are notably complex; unlike modern standards, some individuals were considered veterans after serving as few as four days. Once the list of roughly 450 names is finalized, the commission plans to publish it in the local newspaper to allow for public feedback before the project goes out to bid in May.

The town’s maintenance capabilities saw a boost with the authorization of a $9,047 purchase for a new mower. Jim from the DPW emphasized that while the price had risen slightly since the previous estimate, the equipment is vital for the heavy summer workload. The mowers start up and run all summer long every day, Jim said, adding that the older units are not retired but rather rotated to handle the more difficult, dusty groves at Island Pond where they encounter more obstacles. Motion Made by S. [Firstname] to purchase another mower for the cemetery maintenance operation to the tune of $9,047 per Jim's recommendation. Motion Passed (3-0-0). The commission currently holds an available revolving account balance of $27,026 to cover such operational expenses.

Looking toward the future of the town’s smaller burial sites, the commission discussed repurposing the veterans memorial at Island Pond, which Jim described as currently sitting idle. Because the site is located on a steep hill with no dedicated parking, it has become difficult for aging veterans to visit. Jim suggested the area could be better utilized, prompting Steve to propose a transformation into a cremation garden for veterans. Robin voiced support for the idea, noting that it would be cheaper for families and could feature small, uniform plaques. The commission plans to investigate the feasibility of this transition in upcoming meetings.

In other maintenance updates, the board is waiting for a consistent window of warm weather to apply a protective sealant to the memorial walkway at Evergreen Cemetery. Robin explained that the product requires three to four days of temperatures remaining above 50 degrees, even at night, to prevent the material from clouding or blistering. There's a lot of money invested in that walkway, so we want to do it right, she said. In the meantime, the commission praised the work of AmeriCorps member Emmeris, who has been active in invasive species removal and a community planting program involving the local elementary school. She sees something that needs to be done and just does it, Steve remarked.

Administrative business included the approval of several bills and burial deeds for families in Island Pond, Evergreen, and Mount Pleasant cemeteries. Commissioner Cindy also highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Eldridge family in placing veterans' flags across the town’s cemeteries as Memorial Day approaches. The Eldridges do an amazing job with the flags. We see them in every cemetery. It's a lot of work, she said. The commission is also looking into digitizing its cemetery maps to improve grave location accuracy for the public, noting that current GPS coordinates in some areas require updating for better precision.