CASSADAGA — The Cassadaga Cemetery Association recently held its annual meeting with officers and trustees in the village’s Jefferson Hall.
The purpose of the meeting is to take stock of the finances of the association, the maintenance of the grounds and to obtain the statistics of the past year.
President Scott Dibble welcomed everyone to the meeting and led the group in prayer. Cassadaga historian John Sipos was present and served as an advisor. Sipos had been a member of the board of directors for nine years previously.
The fiscal year of the cemetery association runs from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022.
Cassadaga Cemetery dates back to 1817 and this marks the 205th year. The cemetery is located at the western end on Maple Avenue of the old village boundary next to another village formerly known as Burnhams. Burnhams had its own post office, which was formerly located in one of the Fredrickson Builders Supply buildings. Burnhams was dissolved in December 1942 and became part of the village of Cassadaga. Cassadaga was formed in 1809 and incorporated in 1921. The village boundary was later extended further west to the edge of Stockton Hill, Sipos said.
Cassadaga Cemetery can be accessed from Maple Avenue and is divided into five sections marked A, B, C, D, and E. Section E is the newer section farther back.
The secretary-treasurer is Sue Penhollow, who presented the cemetery’s annual financial report to the group. Penhollow was thanked for all her effort and hard work in keeping records and filling out necessary forms, including annual status reports. Dibble, MacKinder and Thorp were thanked for their help at the cemetery. Ms. MacKinder and Ms. Blizzard were also thanked for their efforts when needed.
Jedidah Walter is the cemetery caretaker. The main task is to mow and trim around the tombstones. Lawn mowers and cutting equipment need frequent maintenance. Cemetery maintenance in the spring, summer and fall is an ongoing effort.
When the cemetery lots were first sold with perpetual care, inflation was never realized driving up maintenance costs. The Cassadaga Cemetery Association accepts donations to help maintain the cemetery. All donations can be sent to Cassadaga Cemetery Association, PO Box 351, Cassadaga, NY 14718. All donations are appreciated.
Cemetery regulations are posted on a bulletin board at the back of Section D. Graves should not be marked out with bricks or stones as this makes mowing difficult. Any object placed in the graveyard must be of a permanent material. Summer items placed in the graveyard must be removed by October 1, and winter and Christmas items must be removed by April 1. Water is available at several locations in the cemetery.
The council has set a clean-up day in the storage garage and surrounding area in the near future. The next meeting of the Cassadaga Cemetery Association will be Monday, June 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Jefferson Hall. Lot owners are welcome.
The office elections for 2022-2023 have taken place. Dibble will continue as president next year. Penhollow will continue as Secretary-Treasurer. Directors include Diane House Blizzard, Diane K. Shaw, Cheryl MacKinder, Dan Thorp and Thomas MacKinder. Sipos will continue to serve as an advisor. At all meetings, lot owners and visitors are welcome.
