Cemetery Commission — Burlington, VT
Date: 2026-02-19
Time: 16:30

Thursday, February 19, 2026, 4:30 PM, Lakeview Cemetery Office, 455 North Ave,
 Front Conference Room

Meeting to be held in person and via Zoom

Feb 19, 2026 04:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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1. Procedural Items
 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda
 Subject 1.2. Motion to amend/adopt minutes from 1/15/2026
 Meeting February 19, 2026 - Cemetery Commission Meeting - Thursday, February 19, 2026,
 4:30 PM, Lakeview Cemetery Office, 455 North Ave, Front Conference Room


 Category 1. Procedural Items

 Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


 Type

 Recommended Action

2. Public Forum
 Subject 2.1. Verbal Comments
 Meeting February 19, 2026 - Cemetery Commission Meeting - Thursday, February 19, 2026,
 4:30 PM, Lakeview Cemetery Office, 455 North Ave, Front Conference Room
 Category 2. Public Forum
 Department Council and Board


 Type

3. Agenda
 Subject 3.1. Commissioner questions and comments re: section 8 plans (from last
 meeting)
 Meeting February 19, 2026 - Cemetery Commission Meeting - Thursday, February 19, 2026,
 4:30 PM, Lakeview Cemetery Office, 455 North Ave, Front Conference Room


 Category 3. Agenda

 Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


 Type

 Recommended Action

 Subject 3.2. Ordinance Language Update (requested by Mary)
 Meeting February 19, 2026 - Cemetery Commission Meeting - Thursday, February 19, 2026,
 4:30 PM, Lakeview Cemetery Office, 455 North Ave, Front Conference Room


 Category 3. Agenda

 Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


 Type

 Recommended Action

 Subject 3.3. Green Burial Update (requested by Martha and Alexandra)
 Meeting February 19, 2026 - Cemetery Commission Meeting - Thursday, February 19, 2026,
 4:30 PM, Lakeview Cemetery Office, 455 North Ave, Front Conference Room


 Category 3. Agenda

 Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


 Type

 Recommended Action

 Subject 3.4. Year ahead update (requested by Alexandra)
 Meeting February 19, 2026 - Cemetery Commission Meeting - Thursday, February 19, 2026,
 4:30 PM, Lakeview Cemetery Office, 455 North Ave, Front Conference Room


 Category 3. Agenda

 Department Parks, Recreation, & Waterfront


 Type

 Recommended Action

4. Adjournment
 Subject 4.1. Motion to adjourn
 Meeting February 19, 2026 - Cemetery Commission Meeting - Thursday, February 19, 2026,
 4:30 PM, Lakeview Cemetery Office, 455 North Ave, Front Conference Room


 Category 4. Adjournment

 Department Council and Board
Type

Recommended Action

Cemetery Superintendent/BPRW Director: Cindi Wight
 Chair: Jennifer Diaz
 Vice-chair – Alexandra Millar




Cemetery Commission Meeting Minutes

Meeting Date: February 19, 2026

Commissioners Present: Jennifer Diaz, Martha Dallas, Nancy Kirby, Alexandra Millar, Mary Wesley

Staff Present: Holli Bushnell, Steve Bachand, Sophie Sauve

Meeting was called to order 4:34pm at by Chair Jennifer Diaz

  I. Approval of Agenda
 Diaz moved to adopt the agenda, Mary Wesley moved to second, all were in favor

  II. Approval of minutes from 1/15/2026
 Diaz moved to approve the minutes, Alexandra Millar seconded, all were in favor

 III. Public Forum
 Public forum was opened at 4:35pm. As no one was present or wished to speak, public forum
 was also closed at 4:35pm

 IV. Commissioner questions and comments on Section 8 plans (from last meeting) –

 Martha Dallas shared that she took some time to look through the renderings with the
 understanding that we will be sending them back for another round of drawings. She asked if
 anyone has worked out a projection as to when we are likely to be full based on rate of current
 sales. Steve Bachand answered that it’s hard to project just how many years of space remain.
 Staff handles 130-150 burials a year, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to full grave space. We
 often are asked how long we have left, and honestly we don’t know. Bachand explained that
 when he started with the department our burials tended to break down to 80% full casket and
 20% cremation. Now that’s flipped, which slows things down a lot.
 Dallas continued with sharing that she recalled from last meeting that the extension of the
 Muslim section is going to be green burial which requires slightly larger lots so they can do burial
 without vaults. From Dallas’ understanding, it looks like the section in general has 978
 traditional lots and 100+ green ones. Could Section 8 have a larger number of green burial lots
 in exchange for traditional lots to accommodate more green burials in SW corner of section?
 Bachand conceded that adding more green burial lots could be discussed. That said, the
 department is pretty close to finalizing the plans. Bachand then introduced Sophie Sauve, the



 City of Burlington  455 North Avenue  Burlington, Vermont 05401  (802) 863-2075
 planning director for BPRW. Sauve is spearheading the section 8 development process in
 addition to handling planning for all other city parks projects. Before turning things over to
 Sauve, Bachand added that he’s unsure if we can afford to go back and redo the plans again to
 add more green burials, but we can discuss it.
 Sauve shared that if we’re going to put more green burials on the table we’d have to re-
 conceptualize the section. She realizes that desires are changing from original concept. When
 we first began the development process, green burials were not included at all. Green burial
 lots are larger, so it would reduce the amount of lots we’d have available. Sauve conceded that
 it is hard to anticipate how desires will continue to change while we expand the section. The
 maintenance for the section would also be different. Basically, adding more green burial lots
 would require a full re-think. Ultimately, Sauve was not sure what to advise particularly as what
 currently exists is an accepted concept, it’s hard to go back and make changes, and the need to
 get this area developed is high.
 Dallas felt that Sauve answered her questions pretty well. She noted that there are around 5
 times as many traditional graves in the current plan, and that makes sense based on interest
 from a few years ago. Her sense is that interest in green burial at Lakeview would be greater
 than what we’re planning for. That said, green options are expanding everywhere.
 Sauve shared that it would be helpful to have the ordinances developed as we move forward.
 She reiterated that trying to anticipate changing desires makes planning really hard, especially in
 this particular work. She offered to ask consultants regarding green trends and see if there are
 other areas that could be a flexible option should desire increase.
 Millar felt that green burial was a conversation when the first design came out, but the staff
 wasn’t ready to develop practices at that time. She felt it would have been nice to see design
 before last revision and to have this discussion without the pressure of the budget or having to
 fully redesign.
 Sauve shared that the design hasn’t changed that much from the conceptual plan, but it does
 include input from staff on ground conditions and what we’re capable of. It’s a tricky subject.
 Sauve reiterated that if more green burial is desired we can look at it. Millar reiterated that she
 would have liked to have the commission more included in the development process before
 things were locked in. She feels the commission should be part of planning. She asked if
 accessibility has been considered in design process.
 Sauve shared that she’s not sure about topography and will check. She did share that the paths
 are planned to be compacted crushed stone and wide enough for vehicle passage (a wheelchair
 as well).

V. Ordinance Language Update (requested by Mary) -
 Wesley shared that she sent the drafted language to Hayley McClenahan and Steve Bachand.
 McClenahan will come to a future meeting to discuss. The next few meeting dates have been



 Page 2 of 4
 shared. Bachand shared that he hasn’t really had a chance to talk to Phil Lewis about it, and is
 waiting for McClenahan’s feedback before getting some input from Lewis.
 Wesley asked to put a pin in this item for next meeting agenda. Dallas asked if Wesley can share
 the language with commission, and Wesley confirmed she will email it if it’s OK.

VI. Green Burial Update -
 See previous discussion

VII. Year Ahead Update (requested by Alexandra) -
 Millar requested that staff and commissioners have a conversation about what’s coming up
 ahead this year – the ways commissioners can support staff, projects commissioners are
 interested in, etc…. She wonders what is on folks’ radar.
 Bachand shared that soon we’ll ask for perpetual care fund interest to be provided for the
 seasonal staff budget. He will also be chatting with Phil when he can regarding an ongoing list of
 things for that need the new director’s attention. Steve reiterated that the perpetual care
 interest funds really helps a lot in keeping us staffed for summer. Otherwise, we are plugging
 along. We are still developing lots in section 6 (the field), creating new rows of saleable lots.
 Holli Bushnell shared that she is starting to work on the veteran’s flag project for 2026. She did
 confirm that there is not enough money in the budget to replace every flag. She is looking for
 leads of folks who might donate. Bushnell will get the exact number of flags needed by next the
 meeting. Diaz offered to do outreach, and Bushnell will try to get Diaz the amount of money
 needed before the next meeting.
 Millar asked if there was an update on the old, currently defunct, fountain in the Pinegrove
 section. Bachand shared that he contacted the Friends of Lakeview and they have some interest
 in potentially renovating the fountain in the future. So for now, it’s going to stay the way it is for
 now.
 Millar asked if there was a Cambrian Rise update regarding the accessible path on the SW side
 of the cemetery heading to the bike path. Sauve shared that there is no timeline for that
 currently. The agreement with the developer has expired and the city is working on a new
 agreement that will also include stormwater run-off tanks and Lakeview office improvements as
 well as traffic lights. It current in negotiations, which, unfortunately, is not the best news.
 Millar asked if the agreement is something that might get settled this year, and Sauve admitted
 that she has no clue. This is a multi-departmental project. Right now CEDO is in charge of
 negotiations, but BPRW is still part of conversations. Bachand added that because of stall we
 haven’t done any landscaping on the building or finished installing a formal entrance way. Now
 we’re planning to put in a temporary accessible ramp to be ADA compliant.
 Bushnell interjected that Lakeview needs a new Black Lives Matter flag. It’s been flying since
 2020 and has simply worn down. Bachand can assist with this.



 Page 3 of 4
 Millar shared that there are a number of Ash trees at Lakeview as you come down the hill to the
 right. The city has been removing Ash trees because of emerald ash bore. She wondered if
 there is anything commission would like to do regarding this impending removal. Millar has
 been walking around with VJ Comai to talk about the trees. Our ash trees are not that healthy,
 so other trees have been planted nearby. Millar is setting up walking time with VJ, and
 commissioners can let her know if they want to join in on the walk. Removal of the Ash trees
 will likely happen at the end of summer or early fall. Millar felt that we might want to let the
 community know that the removal is happening.

VIII. Adjournment
 Diaz moved to adjourn the meeting. Wesley and Millar seconded, and all in favor. Happy 90th
 birthday to Jennifer’s mother! The meeting was adjourned at 5:07pm. The next meeting will be
 held on 3/19/2026 at the Lakeview office and via zoom.




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