The gravestone restoration project was a focal point of the meeting, with the committee reviewing a letter of support from the Lakeville Historical Commission. The letter, signed by commission chairman Brian Reynolds, underscored the cemetery’s historical importance and its inclusion on the state inventory of historic sites. It highlighted the aim to eventually apply for National Historic Register designation, which would further elevate the site’s historical standing.

The committee examined plans for the restoration, which involves a $10,000 grant to clean and reset 14 gravestones on new foundations. These repairs focus on smaller stones, as the original table stones are in relatively good condition. The work, which requires expertise due to the fragile nature of the slate gravestones, particularly prone to water damage, was entrusted to a contractor whose previous work had not raised any concerns. After a brief discussion, the committee voted unanimously to approve the step two application for the project, paving the way for its inclusion in the upcoming Spring Town Meeting, where the town will cast the final vote.

Attention then turned to the public hearing scheduled for February 20, 2025. The committee is committed to ensuring community participation, recognizing the importance of effective communication to engage residents. To achieve this, multiple publicity avenues were considered, including local newspaper announcements, town website updates, email blasts, and social media posts. Discussions also touched on the potential use of a hybrid meeting format to accommodate members unable to attend in person and to increase community involvement.

Committee members emphasized the significance of clear communication strategies, proposing a display of completed and ongoing projects at the hearing. There was interest in utilizing a slideshow or PowerPoint presentation to facilitate this, with logistical discussions on how to connect the presentation technology for a Zoom meeting. Suggestions included emailing the slideshow to Lake CAM for projection and ensuring HDMI connectivity.

Further debate involved how to best inform the public about CPA fund allocation. The committee plans to address community questions during the hearing, proposing to encourage residents to submit queries in advance for well-informed responses. Housing issues were identified as a particular area of community interest, though current action is limited due to the absence of a Housing Authority. The committee aims to clarify the mechanisms available for CPA fund utilization, specifically regarding maintaining existing housing units.

In discussing promotional efforts for the public hearing, the committee deliberated on signage and messaging. They discussed whether to spell out “Community Preservation Act” or use abbreviations like “CPC” or “CPA funding,” ultimately deciding on a concise message to direct residents to further information online.

The meeting also addressed the process for community members to submit project ideas. A structured approach was proposed. Public meetings were recognized as a vital platform for community input.

Updates on ongoing projects were provided, including the John Pond Park project nearing its two-year completion deadline and a temperature-sensitive museum project awaiting suitable weather conditions. The committee expressed confidence in the contractors and discussed the possibility of granting extensions if necessary.