Dundee plans cemetery improvements

    DUNDEE—Amendments to the cemetery chapter of Dundee village code were approved following a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Changes include purchase of lots, maintenance practices, rules for visitors and monuments. There were no comments from the public during the public hearing.
    One addition is a requirement for removal of artificial decorations by April 1. Materials that have become weathered over winter are covered by the requirement. If they are not removed by the date listed, they will be removed. Trustee Greg Wright asked about memorial lights at grave sites. Wright said some people feel the lights take away from the dignity of the cemetery.
    During the meeting, trustees discussed maintenance of the cemetery. Mayor Fred Cratsley Jr. said the contract for maintenance this year had been in compliance. However, trimming around headstones was a problem. The contract called for trimming every other time. As a result of excessive growth this year, grass was often higher than desirable. Cratsley said he would like to have the village consider hiring a part-time employee to perform maintenance at the cemetery. Trustee Warren Smith said that would give the village control over it. Village clerk Christine Sutherland said the cemetery is not self sufficient. She said it would cost extra taxpayer money to have it in pristine condition, Sutherland said there are almost 6,000 burial spots in the cemetery and 5,000 headstones.
    Streets Superintendent Andy Howell told trustees the town of Starkey will assist the village with repair of a road washout in the cemetery.
    In other business: Trustees heard about a water problem in the east side of the village. Resident Carol Cooper spoke to the board, stating she cannot drink the tap water at her home and has had problems with laundry staining. Cooper said she has been buying drinking water. Cratsley said the village needs to have an engineer look at the water system. Trustees approved having engineers Barton & Loguidice look at the system.
    • No hunting is allowed on village property. It will be posted.
    • Following a public hearing, trustees approved keeping the annual meeting of the fire company in December. New York State calls for the annual meeting to be in April. Trustees approved applications of Gene Rhode and Jordan Bagliere for membership in the fire department. Fire Chief Ray Miller reported the department received a grant to help on a new truck. Glen Miller wrote a grant for pagers and radios. Miller said there were 67 ambulance calls last month. During the first two days of the current week there were 10 calls. Miller said this number is the most he has seen join in one year. Five or six more memberships are pending. Miller said, “We’re lucky to have the people.”
    • Lights are now up in the park on Spring Street. Cratsley said the crews did a nice job.
    • Trustees discussed a suggestion from a resident that the village explore a contract for garbage pickup throughout the village. Trustee Larry Howell said it could make the village look cleaner. The cost would be added to taxes. Howell said older residents might not have as much material to be picked up. Andy Howell said it might save a lot on extra truck traffic in the village. He said it was one reason years ago that the village established a drop off point.
    • Cratsley said the village received a $500 donation from the Yates County Chamber of Commerce for the purchase of American flags.
    • One bid was received for tree removal. Fisher’s Tree Service was awarded the job. Section A is removal of 10 trees on village streets at a cost of $7,900. Four trees will be removed in the cemetery at a cost of $2,405.
    • Health Improvement Project Coordinator Lauren Snyder told the board that Karen Hadley has been hired as outreach coordinator. Snyder commended everything that was done by the village to prepare for Christopher Scott’s funeral, calling it a wonderful job. Cratsley commended village employees for more than pulling their weight to make preparations. Cratsley said, “I am proud to be part of this village. Hopefully we never have to do this again.”
    The next meeting of the Dundee village board will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11.