Mt. Toby Quaker Burial Ground

1965.02.10.09.� For the Meetinghouse Committee, Steve Fletcher asked that the question of establishment of a cemetery at the Meetinghouse be discussed at the next Monthly Meeting.� The Meeting gave interim permission that if there is a relevant, restrictive by-law in the Leverett Town Warrant, the Meetinghouse Committee may have a sketch of a burial lot drawn onto the plot plan now filed in the County Court House, to leave us free to have a burial ground or not, as may be decided in the future.�

1965.03.10.06.� Steve Fletcher reported for the Meetinghouse Committee that insofar as zoning is concerned, there is no pressing need for another year that we take a decision on a burial ground; nevertheless we should make a decision in the next few months.� Many who are concerned in this matter being absent, the subject was left for another month.

1966.02.09.18.� John Zahradnik expressed concern that the Friends� Meeting assume responsibility for providing a burial ground for its members.� He asked if other members felt the same. He expressed trouble over social pressures exerted by funeral directors for extravagant burials and concern for the tradition of simple Quaker funerals.� Philip Woodbridge felt that burial of the body was a grotesque custom, although he would not stand in the way of our establishment of a burial ground.� There being no objection in principle to having a burial ground, a temporary committee was set up (at Joseph Havens' suggestion) to investigate technical and legal details involved and to report to us on these matters as well as on possible funeral arrangements.� Thomas Crowe, John Zahradnik, Margaret Holden, and John Foster (convener) were named to this committee.� The Clerk read from New England FAITH AND PRACTICE on the subject.

1967.01.11.08.� The Funeral Investigating Committee reported on the following matters concerning a possible graveyard on our grounds:� legal arrangements, location, eligibility for burial, arrangement of graves, limitations on markers, settling of ground, and choice of plots.� The Committee is requested to circulate this report to the membership for their consideration.� [Copy appended�cnc 6/10.]

1967.12.13.12.� The report of the Burial Ground Investigating Committee that was presented on January 11th, 1967, was read by the Clerk.� No one present expressed any great personal desire that a burial ground be established, but it was reported that one absent member was definitely interested; very slight opposition was expressed by one member.� Largely because of a concern to be prepared for any future need that might arise, it was approved that the legal steps for establishing a burial ground be taken at this time.� Thomas Crowe is asked to make information available concerning such matters as bequeathing one's body to a medical school.�

1969.10.08.17.� John Zahradnik reported that he and Tom Hancock have been uncovering information concerning the old Friends Cemetery in Pelham in the Amherst Watershed.� The site is considered by the Pelham Cemetery Committee to be the burial grounds of our meeting.

1970.06.10.11.� The selectmen of the town of Leverett approved on 10/14/69 a burial ground on the east side of the meeting house.

1971.10.13.07.� John Arnold, husband of Isabel Arnold, passed away recently.� A memorial service was held.� Frances Crowe explained a Friends memorial Meeting for Worship.

�� Isabel Arnold has requested permission from Friends to bury the ashes of her husband at the Meetinghouse burial ground.

�� Tom Hancock told Friends of some of the state laws governing burial of ashes in cemeteries.� Much information is requested by the state, and veterans organizations have to right to enter and put up markers and hold services.

�� Francis Holmes suggested we should have a committee to keep a file of Meeting decisions regarding burial in the Meeting burial grounds along with other information regarding burial.

�� After lengthy discussion, Friends feel that since John Arnold was not a member of the Society of Friends nor a relative of a member, Friends do not wish to set a precedent permitting the burial here.

�� Later, in the reading of the minutes, concern was expressed as to how we might serve Isabel Arnold at this time.� Friends still feel unable to allow the burial in the Meeting burial ground.� Ethel Dubois said she would be willing to have the ashes buried on her property overlooking the Meetinghouse.� Clerk will convey all this to Isabel Arnold.

1971.11.10.14.� The Clerk reported discussion with Isabel Arnold as a result of the meeting's consideration of her request, detailed in Minute 7 of Tenth Month 1971.� It was suggested that the burial ground committee will consider the question of possible future requests of this nature.

1971.12.09.05.� Clerk read the report from Ministry and Counsel meeting of Eleventh Month, Eighteenth.� (See copy attached.)� [Not attached; not located�cnc 6/10.]

�� A permanent burial ground committee has been appointed.� Recommendations for members on this committee are Mary Taylor, Thomas Hancock, John Zahradnik and Robert Myers, convenor.� Friends approved.

1974.08.25.14.� Recommendations of the Burial Ground Committee were distributed (copy attached).� [Not attached, but located and appended�cnc 6/10.]� The recommended name change of the Committee will be discussed at the next Monthly Meeting.� The recommendation on discussion of members' "deeper feelings" will be considered by the First Day School Committee; the subject of death, burial, etc., may be scheduled as a First Day discussion topic.

1974.10.27.10.� Bruce Hawkins presented recommendations of the Burial� Committee.� After discussion and some recommendations for change, they were approved as modified (see attached revised recommendations).� [Not attached, but located and appended�cnc 6/10.]�

1975.01.26.13.� The Burial Committee reported a relocation of the earlier plan for the Meeting burial plot.� It would be a rectangle 70 feet by 150 feet in area; its north corner would be located 70 feet southwest of the south corner of the Meeting for Worship room, or a little over 28 feet diagonally south of that south corner.� From there, the plot would stretch 70 feet toward Long Plain Road, and thence 150 feet parallel to the road in a southwesterly direction.� Meeting approved.

1976.06.18.16.� Tom Hancock questioned whether membership on Burial Committee was permanent or not.� Meeting approved a minute search to clarify the matter.��

1977.08.29.21.� Bruce Hawkins reported for the Burial Committee that Leverett requires a ground water test and a legal survey in order to grant a zoning variance.� The survey would cost $300 or more, and the ground water test about $20, although further estimates would have to be made before proceeding.� He agreed to look into the possibility of someone in the Meeting doing the survey more cheaply, although it would have to be legally acceptable.� He asked if the burial ground were still of enough concern to spend money on it.� [No report attached�cnc 6/10.]

1977.08.29.22.� The burial ground was approved as a continuing concern, and the committee authorized to go ahead with looking into estimates of the cost.� The recommendation that all headstones be level with the ground, for simplicity and maintenance sake, was also approved.

1981.09.11.14.� George Levinger reported for the Burial Committee about plans to proceed with further planning for the establishment of a burial ground on the Meeting's property.� Many Friends expressed strong support for having the committee complete specific procedures for establishing a burial ground, but acceded to the Burial Committee's request to think this through at more length and to formulate a definitive minute on procedures in November or December.� The Burial Committee was asked to bring information on specific costs (financial and other) and to continue to explore the extent and depth of interest in the Meeting.

1981.12.11.13.� Bob Myers presented the Burial Committee report.� (A copy is attached.)� [Copy attached and appended�cnc 6/10.]� Friends approved recommendation 1. of the report but felt unclear concerning both the general and specific aspects of 2. and 3.� We request more study by the committee, specifically in the light of input from members of Meeting and experiences of other meetings with burial grounds.� We also ask the committee to reconsider item No. 6 of the 1977 report [not attached to 8/29/77 minutes, but included in 12/11/81 report] and the second clause of the 1974 suggestion concerning the use of vaults.� Friends approved the first clause of the 1974 suggestion concerning plot reservations.� [�The 1974 suggestion� appears to refer to recommendations made in a report dated August 24, 1974.� In that report, section 1 refers to the name of the committee; section 2 concerns eligibility; section 3 concerns plots; section 5 refers to vaults.� cnc 6/10]

1982.02.12.03.� For the Burial Committee, George Levinger reported on questions about financing and upkeep of the burial ground.� He read his letter (copy attached) [correspondence attached but not appended�cnc 6/10] to 11 or 12 other Friends Meetings in New England, on how they handle their burial grounds.� He then read the replies from 5 Monthly Meetings (copies attached), of Yarmouth (MA), Westport (MA), Smithfield (RI), Dartmouth (MA) and Manchester (ME).� Thomas Hancock reported on his discussion with Worcester Monthly Meeting about their burial ground in Leicester.� Clerk read the recommendation dated 12^th month 11, 1981, of our Burial Committee for policies on the burial ground.� Robert Agard suggested that the Burial Committee be allowed to make any necessary exceptions to the rules.� Clerk suggested that the Burial Committee always have at least one Trustee in its membership.� Eleanor Warnock suggested that the Overseers could decide about exceptions; also that long-time attenders of Mt. Toby Monthly Meeting be allowed to be buried in our burial ground.� She urged that we build into the plans a way to arrange for exceptions.� Francis Holmes proposed that a printed folder be in our rack, once we have a policy, so that all may know in advance what our burial ground policies are.� George Levinger pointed out that the members of the Burial Committee are not themselves strong advocates of a burial ground, but are serving because our Meeting wanted it.� Clerk asked the Burial Committee to make a list of Burial Committee duties.� Francis Holmes reported that the Massachusetts Cemetery Association has a notebook of cemetery laws for its membership.� Marjorie Hancock said that the Burial Committee should have a copy of these laws.� She also urged that there not be made too many exceptions.� John Foster suggested that the Burial Committee be given responsibility for exceptions.� The Meeting asked that the present Burial Committee bring to our next business meeting a revision of their report of 12^th month 11, 1981.� The Meeting approved as the formal charge to our Burial Committee that it �be responsible for physical arrangements for burials and the burial ground, for legal oversight, and for the keeping of our burial records.�� George Levinger asked about questions of feelings about death and dying, and about concern for the bereaved.� Clerk said that this was part of the charge to the Overseers.� [Copy of 2/12/82 report appended; it is a copy of the 1/11/67 report�cnc 6/10.]

1982.03.12.05.� With reference to Minute 3 of Second month 12, 1982, George Levinger distributed the attached report of the Burial Committee [attached and appended�cnc 6/10].� He said that we have as yet not formally filed a burial plan with the town of Leverett.� In the Burial Committee�s report, Friends approved items #1, 2, 3b, and 4 as presented.� Item #3a was altered to say:� �will be members of other Friends Meetings who are resident here and have been active in Mt. Toby Meeting.�� Eleanor Warnock raised question as to non-active children of active attenders, where neither the children nor the parents are members of either our Meeting or any other Friends meeting.� Meeting struggled with how strictly to try to limit burials to members of the Religious Society of Friends, or how extensively to allow them.� Anne Cohen pointed out that wording seemed to require a choice between one�s spouse versus one�s children.� George Levinger said that the Committee meant �and� rather than �or.�� Frances Maimone suggested that in item 2b, the ashes might not all be of the same family.� The words �for example� were placed before �of the same family.�� In item 5, wording was changed to �permanent memorial book� and from �brass� to �bronze.�� George Levinger asked that Friends give suggestions to the Burial Committee as to where to put the plaques mentioned.� Questions were raised as to having any plaques at all, and whether they were to be only for persons who are not buried here.� Meeting asked that the Burial Committee further study paragraph 3a and that the new Burial Committee bring the text back to the meeting before the booklet is printed.�

1982.05.14.07�� [Nominating Committee]

�� D.� Clerk explained that there had been no volunteers to serve on the new Burial Committee, except for George Levinger who offered to help the new committee get started.� Meeting approved [asking the new Nominating Committee] to seek at least 3 persons to serve on the new Burial Committee. . . .�

1982.09.10.04.� Eleanor Warnock reported that the Nominating Committee felt unable to nominate people for the Burial Committee as it was currently defined.� They proposed dividing the responsibilities as follows:

�� 1. That the Burial Committee be responsible for fulfilling the legal requirements of establishing a burial ground and that when this was completed, the Committee would be laid down.

�� 2. That the Grounds Committee be responsible for the maintenance of the burial ground and

�� 3. That Overseers take on the responsibilities associated with a burial when the time comes (counseling, memorial services, etc.).� Meeting accepted this proposal and asks the Nominating Committee to find people to serve on the Committee as proposed.

1983.10.28.10.� A letter from Dudley Woodbridge relating to our proposed burial ground is read.� He wishes to have a stone for his parents placed when the burial ground is ready.� The next step to take is a map to be presented to the Town of Leverett for approval.� Bobs Agard, Archer, and Myers are appointed a committee to prepare the map this fall. Clerks will inform Dudley Woodbridge it is unlikely the process will be finished before winter.

1984.05.24.05.�� George Levinger reports for the Burial Grounds Committee that an official survey of the burial ground has been completed by Louis Guarino, a University of Mass. graduate student, and is ready to be presented to the Leverett Selectmen for approval.� The Committee suggests moving the 20' [sic; should be 70�] by 150' area 23' further than originally planned in a northeasterly direction, and Meeting approves.� (A map is attached.)� [Attached and appended�cnc 6/10.]� Clerks will send Louis Guarino a note of thanks for the survey.

1984.11.11.03.� Follow-up:

�� b.� Clerk reported that Dudley Woodbridge has asked when the stone for his parents will be able to be implanted in the burial ground.� John Foster said that there is no official record of the test hole being dug to check the water level in 1978.� Meeting approved having George Levinger see that that is done again.

1985.05.12.11.� George Levinger reported that the Burial Ground has been approved by Leverett.� The problem was that the evidence that we'd passed the ground water test had been lost.� George recommended that the Burial Committee be laid down.� Overseers will take over the running of the Burial Ground.� Meeting approved.� (Copy of report attached.)� [Attached and appended�cnc 6/10.]

1985.12.15.15.� Barbara Elison and Bob Agard have agreed to be caretakers of our burial ground.

1986.01.12.20.� Phyllis Agard said that she had made all the corrections in the Meeting Handbook which people had mentioned to her.� She will put the date on the cover of each new edition and add in the back a current committee list and guidelines to the use of the Meeting House and Burial Ground.� Meeting approved the Handbook with sincere appreciation to Phyllis for her unique contribution to the Meeting.� Meeting approved making 30 copies which should go to heads of committees, with several copies for the library.� The initial cost will come from the administrative budget.� Individuals may order and pay for their own copies.� Phyllis may be able to put the Handbook on a word processor because the Agards are considering buying one.

1986.05.11.14.� Bob Agard gave a report from the Burial Ground Committee.� They have received official approval from the Town of Leverett and Bob has laid out some plots.� They expect to compile all relevant regulations for Meeting use.� Meeting accepted the report with thanks.

1987.05.07.14.� Bob Myers requested permission to scatter the ashes of Gladys in the meeting burial ground.� We are pleased that he has chosen to do so.� Bob Agard of the Burial Ground Committee will advise him concerning procedure.

1991.03.10.12.� Burial of Unknown Refugee:� In their meeting last month, Overseers used their authority to grant exceptions to the burial ground policies to make possible the burial there of an unidentified young Central American woman found dead in a boxcar in Ware (if the body remained unclaimed).� Barbara Sheard reported that the Medical Examiner�s office released the body for burial last Friday after diligent attempts (limited by their scanty funding) to inquire among Sanctuary Communities (who might have been expecting her) and others for leads to her identity.� The middle school age children expressed a desire to participate in the ceremony which they hope will take place.�

1993.12.16.06.� Land Use Committee:� Ken Hoffman reported.

�� A question was raised about whether Friends who become members of Northampton Monthly Meeting are eligible for burial in the Mt. Toby burying ground.� Northampton Friends will request that Mt. Toby's Overseers look into this.

1994.04.21.05. Overseers:� Jane Porter reported.

�� A letter from Benigno Sanchez-Eppler was read inquiring about a possible agreement with Northampton Monthly Meeting about use of the burial ground.� Overseers will designate two people to look into this and bring a recommendation to Monthly Meeting.

1994.05.19.13.� Overseers

�� c. They are creating a Committee to supervise our Burial Ground.� Peter Letson has agreed to be on the Committee and they are seeking one other member. The first step is to understand the past and current situation regarding the Burial Ground

�� d. A memorial tree is to be planted for Mary Taylor.� The kind of tree and its location are discussed.� The Meeting is inclined toward a shad bush planted in the space between the north end of the meetinghouse and the parking lot.� A planting ceremony is planned near the end of June when Mary's two daughters will be able to be present.�� Ken Hoffman has prepared a detailed map of all trees at the Meeting House.� He has identified those which are memorial trees and whom they memorialize.

1997.05.08.08. Overseers

�� Thomas Crowe died on May 2, 1997.� A Memorial Meeting is planned for May 10 at 1:30 PM in the Meeting House.� A large gathering is anticipated which necessitates several special arrangements such as seating in both the Meeting Room and the Fellowship Room.

�� His family is planning to inter his ashes in our burial ground prior to the Memorial Meeting.� This will be the first interment in our burial ground

1997.06.12.05. Overseers.

�� a. Friends are reminded of the responsibilities of Overseers.

�� b. A Memorial Meeting for Thomas Crowe was held in the Meeting House on May 10, 1997 with about 180 in attendance.� On the same day, his ashes were interred in our Burial Ground in Plot No. 11.

1997.07.10.09. Overseers

�� c. The task of locating the corners of our burial ground is in hand.� Cement markers will permanently mark each corner

1997.10.09.03.� Thomas Hancock died on October 8, 1997.� His body will be interred in our burial ground in Plot No. 10 and a memorial meeting will be scheduled later.

1997.10.09.04� Since Thomas Hancock is to be the first [whole body] interment in our burial ground, several practical issues were raised by the undertaker.� The following are our responses.

�� We are comfortable with our burial ground plots running north and south instead of the more common east and west direction.� Friends agree that bodies should be buried with the head toward the north and that the headstone be at the head of the grave.� Because of its high stone content, soil from the grave will be removed and more suitable soil brought in for the backfill.��

�� The name of the burial ground is Mt. Toby Quaker Burial Ground.

�� We approve that we will reduce the size of the plots from 6'x12' to the more common size of 4'x10'.� Overseers are asked to bring a recommendation to the Meeting concerning sheep grazing on the burial ground.

1997.12.14.08.� Overseers

�� a. Grazing of sheep on the Burial Ground was considered and the two families who have burials there will be consulted before a recommendation is forwarded to the meeting.

1998.01.11.07.� Overseers brought several items to our attention.

�� b. They recommend that plantings on the Burial Ground be limited to the planting of spring bulbs.� After some discussion, we decided to wait another month on this decision because of a concern about whether some bulbs might be poisonous to the sheep grazing there.

1998.03.08.03.� Areas of interest for landscaping around our new addition and elsewhere are presented by the Grounds Committee.� Five areas for consideration are noted.

�� 1. The need for additional parking

�� 2. The area north of our new room and the view out of our new windows

�� 3. Meeting House entrance area

�� 4. The area south of the building

�� 5. The burial ground��

�� The committee asks for comments and thoughts from us all.� The Building Committee also notes the need for thoughts about the use of inside spaces, especially the interaction between aesthetics and cozy areas for informal use.

�� These issues will be discussed at the 11:40 hour on March 29th and a formal plan for outside areas will be brought to us for approval.

1998.03.08.04.� Overseers

�� a. A recommendation is brought to us that there be no plantings on the Burial Ground as originally decided by the Meeting about 20 years ago.� It is also recommended that sheep be allowed to graze the area.� Friends approve these recommendations but ask for ongoing consideration of possible modifications.� In the discussion, it was noted that spring bulbs have been planted on Tom Hancock's grave.�

1998.03.08.09.� Ministry and Worship

�� a. Two applications for membership are being considered.� Deaths in the Meeting have involved substantial responsibility.� A folder giving information about Quaker funerals for attenders at Memorial Meetings has been written.� It can be personalized as desired.� The Committee has been working with the First Day School Committee about preparation of our children for worship when they join the Meeting for Worship.

1998.10.08.05.� Ministry and Worship

�� a) Bob Bancroft, a member of this Meeting, died October 7, 1998.� A Memorial Meeting will be held Friday October 16 at 3 PM at the Meeting House.� It is reported by others that a transcript is available of the 11:30 hour that Bob offered about his spiritual journey.� We are also told that Bob's remains will be cremated and interred in our burial ground.

1999.07.13.09.� Deaths and Burials

�� a) John TeWinkel, a former member of Mount Toby and a member of Northampton Friends Meeting, died on June 21.� His body was placed in our burial ground on June 24.� A memorial meeting, under the care of Northampton Meeting will be held Saturday July 10 at 2pm.

�� b) Ann Elder Bestor, a member of our Meeting, died on July 3.� Since she had not recently been a regular attender, it is suggested that Ministry and Worship contact her husband to learn of the family's memorial service plans.

�� c) Overseers report that they are clear to not write a memorial minute for Julie Leonard who died recently. She had been affiliated with another religious community for some time.

�� d) A concern is raised that the responsibilities associated with our burial ground have increased substantially in the last few years.� It is suggested that these responsibilities should be more broadly shared and that information about the burial ground and its future use should be carefully recorded.�� We ask Overseers to consider this concern and consider whether a separate burial grounds committee might be an appropriate response.

2000.06.11.07.� The ad hoc memorial tree committee presents a revised policy on memorial plantings [attached and appended�cnc 6/10].� The committee has expanded the description of the "tree person".� We agree that this position should be called the "Plantings Keeper".� It is clarified that the policy is intended to cover the meetinghouse grounds, generally considered to be the land around the meetinghouse that is maintained by the Grounds Committee.� We discuss the portion of the policy that relates to planting trees near and in the burial ground.� It has been our policy that the burial ground be grazed and remain free of trees.� Concerns are raised about the loss of pasture land and the impact on the feeling of sanctity of the burial ground.� Concerns are raised that sheep and memorial trees may not be able to coexist.� It is noted that without plantings in and around the burial grounds there are relatively small number of locations available for memorial trees.

We approve the memorial plantings policy with the exception of the section on use of the burial ground.� The burial ground portion needs additional prayerful work and seasoning.� We ask the ad hoc committee to meet with those with concerns about this item and report back to us.� We ask Nominating Committee to proceed with identifying the Plantings Keeper and agree that memorial plantings on meetinghouse grounds, away from the burial grounds, may proceed.

A question is raised about whether Meeting land outside the meetinghouse grounds may be used for memorial trees.� We ask Land Use Committee and Overseers to work with the Plantings Keeper to consider how memorial plantings might be handled for those whom the Meeting does not write a memorial minute.� Under the memorial planting policy, these individuals are not eligible for a memorial planting on meeting house grounds.

2000.07.08.07.� A memorial meeting was held at Mt Toby on Friday June 16 for Martha Hoagland, a member of our meeting.� The service was attended by many of Martha's friends.� Her ashes were placed in our burial ground.� Georgana Foster will write a memorial minute.

2002.12.08.10.� Our Clerk makes the following announcements:

�� b) The Land Use Committee will look into appropriate ways to demarcate the Burial Grounds.

2003.03.09.09.� Phyllis Loomis presents the Grounds Committee report (attached).� [Not attached�cnc 6/10.]� The Committee will work with the Plantings Keeper on a ten-year plan for planting ornamental and memorial trees.� Plans are also underway for protecting and marking the trees and the Burial Grounds and for educating the Meeting community about the various plantings.

2003.07.13.03.� Announcements:

�� c) On June 15, 2003, the ashes of Mary Clark, wife of Mt. Toby member David Clark, were interred in our burial grounds.

2003.12.14.03.� Announcements:

�� a) The memorial service for Karl Davies was held on 11/15/03.� His cremated remains were buried in our burial grounds on 11/23/03.

2004.06.13.10.� Roger Conant presents an update on the FGC Gathering.

�� a) The Junior Gathering�s service project will be a clean-up of the old Friends Burying Ground in Pelham.

2004.07.11.07.� Roger Conant reports on last week�s FGC Gathering, held at the University of Massachusetts, in Amherst.

c) Young Friends cleaned up the Quaker Burying Ground in Pelham, revealing a total of thirty-seven stones.� They also produced a brochure (attached) [not attached, not located�cnc 6/10], available at the site, and an epistle describing the project.

2004.07.11.09.� Clerk�s Report:

�� a) A stone for Fritz Kaufhold has been placed in the burial ground.� A portion of his cremated remains have been scattered on the ground around this stone.

2007.10.14.03.� Care & Counsel

a) John Foster read a memorial minute for Robert R. Archer, who died on April 28, 2007.� A memorial meeting was held for Bob at the meetinghouse on June 23, 2007. His ashes were buried in the Mt. Toby burial ground.� We accepted the minute (attached) [not appended�cnc 6/10] and recommended that it be sent on to Quarterly Meeting.

b) We agreed to minute the seven other burials in the Mt. Toby burial ground.� We asked Care & Counsel to come back to us with the names of these Friends and the dates of their deaths.

2007.10.14.06.� Treasurer�s Report

Kathy Dyer presented the report for September 2007 (attached) [not appended�cnc 6/10].� The total income for the year to date is $5,793.96.� The total expenses for the YTD are $7,823.63. Curtis Johnson, a former member, contributed $100 for care of the burial ground, in memory of Bob Archer. We accepted the report.

2008.03.09.06.� Care and Counsel Committee:� Mary Ellen Preston, Clerk, reported for the Committee.

a.� Burial Ground Records. Mary Ellen presented a list (attached) [appended�cnc 6/10] of the 8 people who have been buried in the burial ground in the past 10 years. This information is also contained in the Burial Ground File in the office.� We accepted the report.

2009.02.08.06.� Care & Counsel:

Andrea Cousins presents a recommendation to establish an Ad Hoc Committee on Burial (proposal attached) [appended�cnc 6/10].� After discussion, we approve the ad hoc committee to serve for up to one year and to report its recommendations to the Meeting within that period.

The charge of the committee is to review all aspects of burial at Mt Toby. �The purposes of the committee include:

a. �To determine whether burial vaults are presently required by Mt Toby Meeting and, if so, discern whether to lay down this requirement;

b. �To determine whether "green burial" should be an option;

c. �To consider the physical layout of the current burial ground and, where advisable, recommend changes;

d. �To consider the current system of record-keeping and, where advisable, recommend changes;

e. �To review written material concerning burial at Mt Toby Meeting and, where advisable, recommend changes;

f. �To consider other concerns as may arise in the course of the committee�s investigation.

The membership of the committee shall include four members:� John Foster and Frank Gatti (members of Care and Counsel), Carol Coan, and Susan Reyes.

2009.07.12.11.� Ad Hoc Committee for Burial:

Carol Coan presents an interim report (attached) [appended�cnc 6/10]) for the committee.� In response to their charge, the committee has reviewed Mt Toby practice and policy with respect to �green,� or natural burials.� They have also reviewed legal requirements for burial.� There are three basic elements of a green burial: no embalming, no metal casket, and no vault.� Friends affirm that �green� or natural burial is acceptable in the Mt Toby burial ground.

2010.02.14.09.� Ad Hoc Committee on Burial:

Carol Coan presents an interim report (attached) [appended�cnc 6/10]) outlining the activities of the committee so far and requesting a four-month extension to its charge.� Friends receive the report and approve the extension until June 2010.

Responsibilities of Ministry and Counsel/Ministry and Worship

and Overseers/Care and Counsel

with Respect to Death, Burial, and the Burial Ground

1971.09.13.06.� Sue Fletcher reported from Ministry and Counsel with regard to:

�� 1) The function of Ministry and Counsel [now Ministry and Worship] and Overseers [now Care and Counsel] in their relation to one another.� Ministry and Counsel suggests that the duties of Overseers be:

�� 1.� To administer the Assistance Fund

�� 2.� To help educate and support young Friends in the Meeting who are facing decisions about the military draft.��

�� 3.� To keep contact with local, out-of-town, and absentee members by telephone and by correspondence.

�� 4.� To keep the emergency telephone chain for information and assistance active.

�� 5.� To give aid, other than financial, to families facing hardships.

�� 6.� To assist the Monthly Meeting Clerk in making decisions about �� scholarship help.

Ministry and Counsel would thereupon concentrate on the general spiritual oversight of the Meeting in such matters as:

�� 1.� Deepening the spiritual awareness of the Meeting

�� 2.� Preparing the State of Society Report.

�� 3.�� Counseling families who have lost members through death and need information about funeral arrangements.

�� 4.� Instructing and visiting new members of the meeting.

�� 5. Arranging for the care of marriages.

�� 6.� Having concern for the quality of Ministry in Meeting for worship.

1981.07.10.12.� Clerk read a letter from Overseers requesting that the committee be laid down.� A copy is attached.� [Not appended�cnc 6/10.]� Friends discussed the original reasons for Overseers separating from the earlier Ministry and Worship several years ago and asked if there might be a way of combining the functions of the two committees again.� Friends approved of asking Ministry and Worship and Overseers to meet together again in September or October to review the functions of the two committees and to see whether those functions would be best carried out by a single committee or by the current two committees.� Friends requested that the two committees report back to Monthly Meeting in November at the latest.

1981.10.09.13.� It was reported that Ministry and Worship Committee recommends that the Meeting continue to have an Oversight Committee [Overseers] and that a job description for the Committee is being drafted to be presented at the next Meeting for Business.

1981.11.13.11.� Patricia Svenson reported for Ministry and Worship's ad hoc committee on the future of Overseers (Bruce Hawkins, Patricia Svenson, Eleanor Warnock).� Friends approved of the spirit of the recommendations (copy attached) [not appended�cnc 6/10] and suggested that the report be included in the next newsletter so that Friends could consider it more thoroughly before next monthly meeting.� Friends approved of asking Nominating Committee to propose six names for Overseers.

1981.12.11.07.� The report from the ad hoc committee appointed by Ministry and Worship on the duties of Overseers was discussed and approved with the following alterations:

�� 1.� The addition of the word "pastoral" before "duties" in the first sentence.

�� 2.� The addition of the word "occasional" before "workshops" in the last item.� (A copy of the report is attached to the minutes of 11-13-81.)� Friends asked that the Nominating Committee present a list of six names for Overseers at the next Meeting for Business.

1982.02.12.03.� For the Burial Committee, George Levinger reported on questions about financing and upkeep of the burial ground.� He . . . . asked about questions of feelings about death and dying, and about concern for the bereaved.� Clerk said that this was part of the charge to the Overseers.

�� 1. That the Burial Committee be responsible for fulfilling the legal requirements of establishing a burial ground and that when this was completed, the Committee would be laid down.

�� 2. That the Grounds Committee be responsible for the maintenance of the burial ground and

1985.05.12.11.� George Levinger . . . . recommended that the Burial Committee be laid down.� Overseers will take over the running of the Burial Ground.� Meeting approved.

1985.12.15.15.� Barbara Elison [Overseers] and Bob Agard [Meetinghouse Committee, Library Committee, Burial Ground Committee] have agreed to be caretakers of our burial ground.

1986.01.12.07.� Laura Robinson read an excerpt from the Minutes of the Joint meeting of Overseers and Ministry and Worship of Oct. 7, 1984 (?) as follows:

�� a.� To Ministry and Worship, we delegated:

�� --care of Memorial meetings

�� --care of the Meeting for Business

�� b. �To Overseers, we delegated:

�� --material from the Committee on Aging regarding the researching and sharing of creative responses to various needs of elderly Friends

�� --care of the Meeting for Business

�� c.� We recognized that care for the Meeting for Business is a concern not only to both Overseers and Ministry and Worship committees, but also to every committee and every member.� It is appropriate for each committee to act on its own felt concern, rather than to try to delegate it to another.

Meeting approved.

1998.03.08.09.� Ministry and Worship

2002.04.14.08.� Catherine Reid reported for Overseers that a form entitled "Information Sheet for Friends' End of Life Wishes" is available for Friends' use, and it will be kept on record by overseers at the meetinghouse by Friends who use it.

Memorial (Scrap) Book

1984.03.25.15.� At the request of Mary Taylor, we ask the recorder, Fritz Kaufhold, to prepare a list of deceased members of this Meeting for the library.

1985.12.15.14.� Meeting requested Overseers to get in touch with the Recorder to get a list of deceased members of the Meeting.� There is interest in making a scrap book with photographs of them, obituaries, memorial minutes, and where they are buried.

1986.06.11.12.� Laura Robinson showed Friends a Memorial Book which she has been putting together.� It includes Memorial Minutes and newspaper clippings about Friends who have died.� It is a looseleaf album with acid-free paper.� The book will be available to look at but is not to be removed from the library.� Meeting expressed appreciation for her work.

1994.04.21.05.� Overseers:� Jane Porter reported.�

Overseers recommend that the History and Records Committee be reactivated.� The committee�s charge is the same as it has been previously:� to assist the Recorder in preserving accurate data on membership, births, marriages, deaths; keeps a file of newsletters; also a file of clippings about activities of the Meeting and its members.� Friends approved instructing the Nominating Committee to nominate members for the committee.� Four people have asked to serve on the committee: Phyllis Agard, Georgana Foster, Laura Robinson, and Becky Holmes.

1999.06.10.07.� A discussion arises about how memorial minutes should be incorporated into the memorial book.� We ask Overseers to consider this question and to share their thoughts with the History and Records Committee.

Interest in /Groups on Death and Dying

1966.04.13.18.� The burial committee reported that the president of the Springfield Memorial Society has volunteered his services to talk to the Meeting on legal and technical aspects of a funeral society.� Friends approved having the committee schedule a time for this talk when most Friends can attend.

1979.01.26.05.� Overseers reported on their activities of this past fall and summer:

�� D.� Last month Overseers sponsored two Sunday morning discussion groups on the functions of clearness committees for marriage.� They are considering the need for other discussions on divorce and children, and possibly some on death and funerals.

1984.01.22.11.� Barbara Elison of the Overseers reports on the proposed weekend workshop on Loss and Dying - a Training Workshop for Quakers,� which will be at Woolman Hill Third Month 16th to 18th.� She outlines the plans for the weekend and topics to be covered.� Invitations will be issued to meetings in the Connecticut Valley Quarter and to adjacent meetings in Northwest Quarter.� Scholarship help will be available.� Question is asked about provision for child care.� Mention is made of the desirability of having information on simple burial available.

1984.04.27.14.� Barbara Elison reports that as an outgrowth of the workshop on Loss and Dying, Overseers plan to visit a funeral home in May and invite any who wish to join them.

1984.06.22.17.� Laura Robinson reports that the Overseers visited a funeral home last night and that she has copies of the Massachusetts Consumers' Council pamphlet on funerals for distribution.

1985.02.10.07.� Coming events:

�� b.� Mar. 6 - 6:30 pm Potluck, 7:30 pm Discussion and Meeting for Business. Topics suggested for the discussion were membership, Friends' funeral arrangements (Overseers), and ways we could nurture our young people, with the decision on topic left up to the clerk.

1997.04.10.08.� Overseers

�� a.� They are proposing a gathering in the Fall focused on death and dying.

1997.09.11.06.� Overseers

�� a.� They have discussed the subject of Pastoral Care and expect to further clarify the Meeting's role and procedures in this care.

�� b. A proposal is made for a special program on Death and Dying.� Sue Fletcher and Kathleen Winkworth have agreed to plan this program to occur later this year or early next year.

1997.10.09.07.� Overseers

�� c. The proposed workshop on Death and Dying is tentatively scheduled for April 4, 1998.

1997.11.09.08.� Overseers

�� b. Plans for the Death and Dying workshop in the spring are proceeding.

1997.12.14.08.� Overseers

�� c. Planning for the Death and Dying Workshop to be held on April 4, 1998 is proceeding.

1998.01.11.07.� Overseers brought several items to our attention.

�� d. The Death and Dying workshop� originally planned for April 4 has been changed to April 11.

1998.04.16.08.� Report on the Death and Dying Workshop

�� It was well planned and carried through.� The morning was particularly useful. Attendance was satisfying, at least 30 people.

1998.07.09.08.� Overseers

�� a. A report of the well received Death and Dying Workshop is received.

2001.11.11.05.� Shirley Conant reported for Overseers that:

�� (c) Overseers will facilitate the formation of an interest group on Death and Dying.

Appropriate Use of Meeting Land

1975.03.23.08.� Tom Hancock, Clerk of the Land Use Committee, began a discussion of what might be done with Meeting land by presenting his personal feelings about the use of the 108 acres purchased from Ethel Dubois.� He spoke about preserving the land in its natural state, and expressed the need for a Christian ethic concerning the environment:� giving respect to the "other than human."� A number of questions were raised and opinions voiced.� A sample of these are summarized below.

John Foster suggested that Meeting consider why we originally agreed to guy the land from Ethel, and is develop our Land Use plan in accordance with those original goals.� Becky Holmes said that Ehel's goal was to care for the land and to prevent development.� Meeting purchased the land both to show its concern for Ethel, who feared development, and to maintain it in a conservationist spirit.

Laura Robinson thanked Tom Hancock for expressing his personal feelings and for his eloquence.� She agreed that the land should be conserved, but wondered how this could best be accomplished.� Alan Page spoke about the "Life and death struggle" that constantly occurs in the forest.� He mentioned that in land left to nature only 200 or 50,000 original small trees per acre survive to grow to full maturity.� Under some conditions, managed land can benefit wild life more than can unmanaged land, as learned in some areas by the Audubon Society.� Trees� will be healthier if some unhealthy or unwanted trees are cut out of a maturing forest.

Bruce Hawkins discussed man as part of nature.� We asked what does "ethical responsibility' mean in relation to land use. He would like us to look again at the cut-over land on the Archer property.�

urtis Johnson reported that his land has been helped rather than hurt by selective tree cutting.� He suggested that if trees were cut on our own land we could save the lumber for possible later use in construction of a tractor shed or an addition to the Meetinghouse.

Alan Page was asked to explain the meaning of the term "succession" he had used to describe natural phenomena in the woods.� He said that all sorts of natural events destroy trees:� devastating hurricanes which level forests agout once every fifty years, fires, and other phenomena.� Succession refers to the succession of plants and trees which will sewed and grow up in an unmanaged forest following this natural destruction.� He believes that economics should be a consideration in land use.

Jeff Keith expressed uneasiness about the use of words such as "harvesting" and other utilitarian language about our forest.� Laura Robinson expressed herself in favor of a conservancy restriction on the land.� Claire Van Peski suggested that conservancy is vital.� She pointed out that a conservancy restriction does not rule out land management, though, but may even necessitate management on behalf of proper conservation.

John Foster suggested that Meeting look further into the provisions of the Conservation Restriction Act.� He asked whether we should define different categories of our land; not all parts need be considered under restriction.� Trevor Robinson quoted John Zahradnik (who was absent), who felt that it may be presumptuous for us to put restrictions in 1975 which would tie up the use of the eland of our descendants in 20000 or later.

Tom Hancock pointed out that land under a conservancy restriction can be removed from this restriction at any time, and that such a restriction does not preclude the present management of the land.

The discussion then turned to the flat acreage near the Meetinghouse.� Should it be� used for gardening?� And, if so, how?� After additional discussion, the Land Use Committee was asked to propose guidelines for gardening and for plowing the land to ready it for gardening; they were also asked to consider who should pay for plowing.

Regarding the forest portion, the Land Use Committee was asked to draw up a specific proposal applying for a "conservation restriction" and to report by the May Meeting for Business.

1979.02.23.08.� We have received, through a realtor, an inquiry from a local Jewish group interested in purchasing an acre of our land for use as a burial ground.� We will think about this further.� No strong support for the idea was expressed, though some discomfort was expressed with the fact that we do not seem to be using our land.

1979.03.25.06.� Land Use Committee invited discussion of possible uses of the flat land around the meetinghouse now that the Meeting has approved its plan for selective tree farming.� It reported that Karl Davies is approaching a second person to do the cutting in a manner that accords with the Meeting's intentions and that it is considering a proposal to put in a new oak bridge to bear the weight of the truck that will need to pass there.

During discussion of the uses of our flat land, the following comments were made:

- Some Young Friends are interested in seeing the land plowed and then made available to anyone interested for garden plots.

- A letter (copy attached) [not appended�cnc 6/10] from Bob, Brad, and Nancy Archer was read proposing to the Land Use Committee that the entire 3-4 acre tract between the meetinghouse and the Archers' be put back into good hay turf, and that the area be enclosed in an unobtrusive electric fence to permit sheep to graze it.� [This tract is actually about 14 acres.]�

- Whatever we do, preference ought to be given to a long-term plan for that land.

-� Some members expressed approval of sheep grazing the land, fertilizing the area by manure and keeping the grass down by non-mechanical means.� Sheep might be allowed to graze all the cleared land.

- Clerk reminded us of a request we have received to sell a portion of land for use as a burial ground by another religious group.

- Dick Ulin reported that over the last years of corn planting, interest had dwindled to the point that most of the cultivation was done by University students rather than our own members.

- A question was raised about how our water supply problems bear upon any future plans for cultivation of this tract.

The following minute was approved:

�� Meeting approves immediate fencing of the land mentioned in the letter received from the Archers for the purpose of grazing by sheep or goats.� We will await a recommendation from Land Use Committee regarding the longer-term uses of flat land around the meetinghouse.

It was suggested that the next Newsletter carry a brief discussion of the proposals mentioned in business meeting.

1983.10.28.11.� Karl Davies reports for the Land Use Committee on land tax assessment under state Law, Chapter 61 (forest land), 61A (farmland), and 61B (recreational land.)� Effective July 1, 1984, 15 acres now sheep pasture will be assessed under Ch. 61A� (farmland), and 47� acres south and west of the power line will be assessed under Ch. 61B (recreational land).� Forty acres of forest will be put under Ch. 61 (forest land) next year.

�� We very much appreciate the work of the Committee and Karl Davies in the accomplishment of this task.� The report and map are attached to these minutes.� [Not appended�cnc 6/10.]

1993.10.21.09.� Meeting House Committee:� John Foster reported.

A.� The Department of Environmental Protection has approved Mt. Toby's request to be declassified as a public water system (letter attached) [not appended�cnc 6/10].� The Meeting is now relieved of certain water testing responsibilities and is under the jurisdiction of the Town of Leverett.

1993.12.16.06.� Land Use Committee:� Ken Hoffman reported.

The report (attached) [not appended�cnc 6/10] summarized the status on negotiations with W.D. Cowles over their access across Meeting property, tree planting, and the need for a new land management plan since the current one expires in one year.� The new plan will come to Meeting for Business in the spring.� The deadline for submission to the state is 7/1/94.�

Georgana Foster informed the Meeting that a wildlife corridor is being established in this area and provided the committee with information about it.

1997.11.09.07.� Land Use Committee

�� a. The lease with Brad Archer has been signed (copy attached) [not appended�cnc 6/10].

�� b. The Committee is looking for a new insurance company which will insure us with our pond. �The fence around the pond and bridge near the pond need repair which will be undertaken in the spring after estimating repair costs.� Clearing trails also needs to be done.

�� Friends are reminded of the circumstances of and reasons for our purchase of the land.� The land was purchased from Ethel Dubois when she moved out of the area in 1972 with the expectation that we would continue to manage the land with the same conservation and stewardship objectives which Ethel had followed.

CONTENTS
Excerpted minutes concerning		Page
Mt Toby Quaker Burial Ground		2
Responsibilities of Ministry and Counsel/Ministry and Worship and Overseers/Care and Counsel with Respect to Death, Burial, and the Burial Ground		13
Memorial (Scrap) Book		15
Interest in /Groups on Death and Dying		16
Appropriate Use of Meeting Land		17
Appended Reports