BY CRAIG FREILICH
North Country This Week

POTSDAM – The Bayside Cemetery Association is asking the town council for financial help in the face of rising costs, declining plot sales, and limits on what the association can do with its funds.

The association is asking for help to avoid official abandonment of the cemetery, which would make the town legally responsible for upkeep.

The cemetery, established in 1865, is distinctive in the use of Potsdam sandstone in its gatehouse and entry on Clarkson Avenue across from Clarkson University. Its Raquette riverside location is key to its success so far.

The cemetery has been running annual deficits for about 20 years, according to cemetery association president John Omohundro, who submitted a memo to the Town Council for discussion at its meeting Tuesday, May 14.

Omohundro said the cemetery is in debt to its Permanent Maintenance Fund (PMF) by about $116,000.

“Some reasons for this include the relatively small number of lot sales and interments for the size of its grounds, which are costly to maintain. Already at the high end of county prices, we cannot charge more. Our county is not growing in population and its residents are not wealthy. Yet labor, fuel, and other grounds keeping costs continue to rise.”

Omohundro says that that they have cut expenses of labor, insurance, accounting and other categories “to the bare minimum.”

Restrictions on a cemetery’s PMF allow them to withdraw funds from interest income and dividends, but they cannot touch the principal balance. That covers about 40% of expenses. Donations now cover about 20% of expenses, while the deficits continue to build up. They have considered starting an urn garden for cremations, which continue to increase as a practice over burials.

“The Town of Potsdam has a long history of helping Bayside Cemetery, for which we are very grateful,” Omohundro said. He noted help 20 years ago in paving the entrance driveway, and more recent assistance with some landscape chores and the use of a truck and workers to clean out the gatehouse basement.

Highway Superintendent John Keleher said the town now mows about eight abandoned cemeteries, which he said takes about an hour each.

Omohundro notes recent state legislation “has made it easy for municipalities to assist cemeteries by providing services or money without hassle from state auditors.”

And he said there is legislation is committee in Albany that would loosen the restrictions on a cemetery’s “total investment return” policy.

Town Clerk Cindy Goliber said the issue is being discussed by the state Association of Towns, and she will have more to contribute to the council’s discussion when she learns more.

Goliber suggested that if the town can help Bayside more, it could prevent abandonment, which would leave responsibility for it totally in the town’s hands.

In his memo, he suggests some areas where the town could contribute, including paving materials, topsoil, labor for spring, fall and storm cleanup, and accounting help with payroll for their four employees and their non-profit tax return.

And he said the cemetery board might consider expanding by one seat, to allow a town representative to have complete knowledge of their financial status and direct input on policy.

Supervisor Ann Carvill said the council will discuss the matter and take measures if they agree.

According to BaysidePotsdam.org, the cemetery was established in in 1865 when a group of Potsdam village citizens established Bayside Cemetery. Under the leadership of Thomas S. Clarkson Sr. and Bloomfield Usher, prominent citizens and leaders in the Trinity Church, the cemetery bought over 20 acres, known as "Deming's Heights," on the southwest side of the village. Thomas Clarkson gave it an additional 15 acres. Later acquisitions have increased the property to over 80 acres, half of which is still in forest.

The first interment was performed in 1867. In addition, about 720 graves were moved from earlier cemeteries within the village on Willow Street and Pierrepont Avenue.