Minutes 04-14-11
MINUTES OF THE CEMETERY BOARD MEETING
HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
ON THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2011 AT 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT
Harry “Dale” Hatch, Chair Tom Balfe, Parks Manager
Janet Prainito, Secretary
Bonnie Glinski
ABSENT
Karilyn Norem-Hohner, Vice Chair
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Hatch called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. ATTENDANCE
Secretary Prainito called the roll. The attendance is noted above.
3. AGENDA APPROVAL
Chair Hatch noted there was a typographical error in the agenda under B. Original purchase
price $350.00, less 80%, should be less 20%.
Ms. Glinski wanted to add discussion on the gate area. It was added to Parks Division Reports
Ms. Glinski moved to approve the agenda. Ms. Prainito seconded the motion that carried
unanimously.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 9, 2010
Motion
Ms. Glinski moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Prainito seconded the motion that carried
unanimously.
5. RECEIPT OF REVENUE/EXPENSE SHEETS – November & December 2010 and
January 2011
Motion
Ms. Prainito moved to place on file. Ms. Glinski seconded the motion that carried unanimously.
MEETING MINUTES
CEMETERY BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 14, 2011
6. RECEIPT OF SALES REPORTS — December 2010, January, February & March
2011
Motion
Ms. Glinski moved to accept the reports for December through March. Ms. Prainito seconded
the motion that carried unanimously.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Parks Division Reports — December 2010, January & February 2011
Mr. Balfe reported the following for December 2010, January & February 2011 September;
Mausoleum Entombments 14
Ground Full Body Burials
17
Ground Cremains 4
Total Funerals 35
Disentombments & Disinterments 0
Disinurnments 0
a. Gate Area
Mr. Balfe received the quotes and the least expensive price he received was $2,550. The
reason it is so expensive is because a chain Zink gate would have to be custom made and then
has to be covered. This price does not include the type of covering chosen for the chain link
fence. Due to the distance of the span, it will have to be made out of very heavy gauge
galvanized pipe, unlike a standard gate where 1 1 /2" or 2" pipe is used. These were quotes over
the phone because it was not known if the Board wanted to move forward with the gate. Mr.
Balfe further advised he had called fence companies and different vendors but some of them
are not willing to bid, claiming time is wasted in coming out, quoting a price and then we never
do business with them. A couple of vendors sent something back stating they did not want to
bid now or in the future.
Ms. Prainito inquired as to whether this would be chain link, slats, or other material. Mr. Balfe
indicated he was unsure of what material was desired. Slats could be used or possibly a
windscreen. A windscreen would be easier if there is a storm, as the zip ties can be cut, the
screen rolled up and once the storm passes, it can be rolled back down. With slats, there
would be no time to remove them due to the way they are designed and installed. Ms. Prainito
inquired if the screen stays in good condition with the wind blowing and whipping at it. Mr.
Balfe indicated if it is properly anchored where it cannot flap around, it would be fine. Ms.
Glinski inquired about using the wood material; however, no one would guarantee it because it
is such a long span of approximately 22 or 23 feet. Ms. Glinski inquired what color would
blend in better with the wood. Mr. Balfe advised black generally blends in with the background
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MEETING MINUTES
CEMETERY BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 14, 2011
and is aesthetically more pleasing to the eye versus chain link or green. There are probably
some brown colors available also if the Board decides to move forward. Ms. Prainito expressed
her concerns about the screening and how it would look after a while. Mr. Balfe suggested
looking at bamboo rollout, but Chair Hatch disagreed because the cords rot. Choir Mr. Balfe
suggested that Mr. Balfe continue and get some concrete prices and move forward with the
project. Mr. Balfe suggested a combination of a metal gate with boards on the front which
would address many concerns.
Motion
Ms. Glinski moved to accept the report and have Mr. Balfe move forward with the gate project.
Ms. Prainito seconded the motion that carried unanimously.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discuss Number of Cremated Remains Allowed in a Crypt
Ms. Prainito advised a gentleman, a former City Commissioner, had called and advised he has a
crypt in the mausoleum. He indicated he changed his mind as to whether he wishes to be
buried or cremated. He decided that since he has this crypt, he wondered how many cremated
remains could go in there so that possibly his family could be entombed with him. Ms. Prainito
inquired of Mr. Balfe if, when he spoke to the gentleman, he indicated how many cremated
remains he wanted to go into this crypt. Mr. Balfe advised when he spoke to him, he was
wondering what he could actually do with it; whether he could sell it, how he could sell it, who
could he sell it to and asked about the cremains. At one point, he indicated he would just
transfer ownership to his daughter and then he would purchase a niche, because he planned on
being cremated.
Mr. Balfe advised if a second right of inurnment with the past owner is purchased, then one
could go in there. In the ground, two are allowed with a full body. The Board discussed if there
was not a full body, how many cremains would be allowed. There is also the issue of how
many names can be put on the stone. Ms. Glinski inquired how many names could be put on
currently and Ms. Prainito advised it would be two if a second rite in the mausoleum was
purchased. It could be a full body and one cremains. With no full body, it has not been
discussed.
An inquiry was made as to how names would be put on a crypt front? Mr. Balfe indicated that
is where the big issue lies. There are a couple of them where they are true companions. There
are two caskets and one cremains and there are two last names on the crypt front. He is unsure
about three names. If it was the same last name, it probably would not be a problem.
However, if there were two last names and three people in there, that could present a problem
with spacing. All the letters are the same size. Ms. Prainito suggested allowing on those people
with the same last name and then possibly three could be allowed. Mr. Balfe advised when he
was speaking to the gentleman, he was speaking of himself, his wife, his daughter and son -in-
law. That would be four people with two last names. Chair Hatch advised on a single crypt
there would be considerably more space than on a niche. Mr. Balfe explained the way the
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MEETING MINUTES
CEMETERY BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA APRIL 14, 2011
names appear now and pointed out there could be a problem with multiple names. The
question is whether there would be enough space. Mr. Balfe further stated that in some
instances there is a mother, father and daughter and the name goes in the middle. He does
not feel four names would fit. If it were a double, it measures 3 feet by 3 feet. If it was a
companion crypt, it is 6 feet from left to right. In that case, there would be room as you could
put two in one crypt and two in the other as the crypt front is double the size of a single crypt
front. Ms. Prainito expressed concern that if this were to come up in the future, we should
consider whether three cremated remains would be allowed if it were three with the same last
name. Discussion continued on the number of names and size of crypt. Mr. Balfe advised in a
single crypt, there could be three cremains or one casket with two cremains, or one casket with
one cremains. There are many variables. Ms. Prainito advised she will call the gentleman who
asked the questions, obtain more information and put this on the agenda for the next meeting.
Ms. Prainito advised there was an additional request for a transfer of deed. All the paperwork is
in order and it is a transfer requested by Peter Kelly and Marjorie Kelly to transfer Lot 505 A &
B, Block S, at Boynton Memorial Park to James Patrick Kelly and/or Victoria Kelly. Chair Hatch
asked for objections and there were none.
Chair Hatch indicated since the correction on Item B was made to 20% instead of 80% and
since B-F are all ratifications, the Board could go through each one and make one motion at
end.
Motion
Ms. Glinski moved to ratify items B-F. Motion was seconded by Ms. Prainito and was
unanimously passed.
Motion
Ms. Glinski moved to approve the request made in Item G which was seconded by Ms. Prainito
and was unanimously passed.
9. OTHER
Ms. Glinski announced she was recently at the cemetery and noticed on the sign that says
“Boynton Beach Memorial Park”, the “K” has slipped again.
Ms. Glinski also mentioned the fountain and noticed the landscaping was removed. Mr. Balfe
advised that the chemicals used to keep the fountain clean were killing the landscape, so they
have begun to put in river rock but it needs to be leveled out, cleaned and the curb painted.
Hopefully, the will improve the looks. Most of the plants were dead and complaints were
received. As for the fountain, it will have to be cleaned out again after the river rock is put in.
It was pressure cleaned but it is really difficult to maintain due to the wind and everything that
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MEETING MINUTES
CEMETERY BOARD
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
APRIL 14, 2011
blows in it. Ms. Glinski mentioned there are other places that have fountains but they do not
look green like this one and Mr. Balfe explained they are probably filtered, where this one is
not. Filtering takes out the debris. This fountain has to be manually cleaned out and it takes a
lot of maintenance. Unless it is filtered it, it will not be an easy task to maintain. Chair Hatch
advised there has to be something done to make it look good and inquired about the reclaimed
water. Mr. Balfe indicated they researched the reclaimed water and it had nothing to do with it
turning green. It has to do with the chemicals and it is a difficult job, due to short staffing, to
maintain. When chlorine tablets were used, without the filter process, it created sediment and
clogged the pump in the fountain. That was stopped and liquid bleach is being used instead.
Ms. Prainito inquired as to the expense of a filtering system. Mr. Balfe advised he would check
into it. It would take installing a pump on the outside of the fountain and drilling holes so the
water could be filtered. The consensus was that a filtration system should be investigated.
Ms. Glinski also mentioned the sod in the cemetery and the fact that it looks like brown clumps
of weeds. Mr. Balfe advised there was a problem with dollar weed and unfortunately there is a
ban on using atrozine in the cemetery because the cemetery sits on top of a well field for the
City water supply. As a result, the City is limited as to what chemicals can be used. The City is
experimenting with different chemicals but to get rid of the dollar weed, it was necessary to
lower the amount of irrigation. The dollar weed is almost gone and he advised he spoke to a
sod contractor and using money in one of the CIP accounts, some resodding will be started.
Some of the worst areas will be resodded first. Then strips will be cut down the center and
sodded and that sod will spread out to the adjoining areas. Hopefully, within the next month or
so, the City will be back on track with watering and using other chemicals. Currently, small
areas at a time are being tested to see how it works. A massive kill would eliminate weeds and
the grass.
10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
A. City Attorney to review Code section on the Cemetery for the purpose of
updating archaic language, and add definitions.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Motion
There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Prainito moved to adjourn. Ms.
Glinski seconded the motion that carried unanimously. The meeting properly adjourned at 6:37
p.m.
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Ellie Caruso
Recording Secretary
04/26/11
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