Billerica Cemetery Commission sends bench policy letter to Select Board

BILLERICA — January 13, 2025 — Billerica Cemetery Commission formalizes memorial bench standards in letter to Select Board. The commission voted unanimously at its January 13 meeting to transmit a letter to the Select Board stating that benches in town cemeteries must consist of three granite pieces on a concrete foundation, with each request approved case-by-case by the commission for location and color and requiring sign-off from Cemetery Division Supervisor Timothy Chase. Chair Peter Blaisdell said the goal is consistency across installations: "Same size, same type of letter. They can't have a text on the front." Chase reported 166 burials in 2024, 52 foundations installed, 22 veterans markers, and 17 flat markers placed, and confirmed that repaving of both the North Cemetery and Fox Hill Cemetery roads is complete. The commission's next meeting is March 10, 2025.