Broadcaster Spring 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Written Acknowledgement Forms Required for New Hires click here
President's Message click here
Michael Austin Elected President click here
Holy Rood Chapel Mausoleum Addition click here
Norwalk Wilbert Vault Co. Presents Grant to Benefit Grieving Children click here
Disaster Preparedness Committee Report click here
Public Affairs Seminar click here
Cemetery Management with a Heart click here
Kensico Cemetery Celebrates Daffodil Days for Cancer Awareness click here
MCA Service Award Recipient: Nicholas Maenza of Somers Troop 376 click here
10 Simple Ways to Make a Difference click here
White Haven Announces Opening of Lasting Light Mausoleum click here
Great Horned Owl Returned to Woodlawn Cemetery click here
Fall Conference click here

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Written Acknowledgement Forms Required for New Hires
Effective October 26, 2009, New York employers are required to provide written notification to newly hired employees of their regular rate of pay, their regular pay date, and their overtime rate of pay if the employees are eligible. Employers are also required to obtain written, signed acknowledgements from newly hired employees indicating that the employees were notified of their pay rate and pay date. The New York State Department of Labor had suggested that employers were required to utilize the acknowledgement form published by the Department on October 28, 2009. The New York State Department of Labor has now announced that employers may devise their own written acknowledgement forms for newly hired employees. Employers may use or adapt the form issued by the New York State Department of labor as well. In the coming weeks, the Department will be issuing sample forms for a variety of pay agreements and employers may choose to use or adapt those forms as well.

If you would like assistance with drafting an acknowledgement form or with amending your offer letters to ensure compliance with the New York Labor Law, please contact Adam Harris (212-758-7724) or any other attorney at the Firm.

This Advisory is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. If you have any questions about anything contained in this Advisory, please contact Collazo Carling & Mish LLP. All rights reserved.

If you have questions about this or any other employment or labor matter, contact your attorney or a member the of the NYSAC Labor Committee:

Ken Taylor, Chairman
kentaylor@green-wood.com

Jay Ivler
j.ivler@mountlebenoncemetery.com

Andrew Nagle
andrew.nagle@archny.org

President's Message
Dear Members,
Since our Annual Meeting and Fall Conference this past September at Lake George, the officers, directors and committees of NYSAC have been busy addressing important issues impacting cemeteries and crematories in New York.

NYSAC recently sponsored a statewide conference call with Rich Fishman, Mike Seelman and Cindi Craig from the Division of Cemeteries and crematory operators from around the state to discuss the new Cremation Authorization and Disposition Form. We welcome all crematory operators to join NYSAC and become active members now that the Division is a part of your regulatory life.

Our legislative counsel, David Fleming, has kept us informed as to the latest developments happening in Albany. The office staff of our executive director Beth Seme has been busy as usual with their work on our behalf. I am appreciative of their collective efforts to keep our membership informed and organized as we plan events during the course of the year.

A number of regional events are scheduled around the state within the month. Issues such as disaster preparedness and cemetery maintenance are headlined. Please refer to the NYSAC website and watch your mail for this information. In addition, we will be gathering in Albany on May 3 and 4 for our Public Affairs Seminar. This is always an informative and well attended event. Mark your calendars for our Fall Conference to take place at the Turning Stone Resort, October 3-5, 2010. An abbreviated format is scheduled to encourage as much participation as possible.

I would be remiss if I neglected to thank our member suppliers who support our Association throughout the year. In this tough economy 1 would encourage our member cemetery and crematory operators to likewise support these suppliers whenever possible.

Please consider submitting a Broadcaster article and photos (if possible) for any newsworthy event that might be happening at your cemetery. If you have any special projects, walking tours, new construction or anything of interest please let us hear from you. Submissions can be sent to Andrea Vittum, chair of the publications committee at andrea.vittum@choiceonemail.com.

For new members not yet familiar with us, we have many committees with experienced cemeterians always willing to help out a colleague. Call me at 718-824-0200 or the NYSAC office at 518-783-1134 for a referral to the appropriate committee.

Thank you for your support and 1 look forward to seeing you over the course of the year. Have a safe winter. Spring can’t come soon enough.

Sincerely,
Jay Ivler
NYSAC President

Michael Austin Elected President
The Board of Directors of Elmlawn Cemetery and Crematory in Kenmore, NY, are pleased to announce the election of W. James Huggins to the office of Chairman of the Board and the election of Michael Austin to the office of President of the Cemetery effective March 1, 2010.

Mr. Huggins has been with Elmlawn for 42 years while serving as President for over 37 years. At the meeting of the Board of Directors, the Board noted that “his caring and professional leadership have been recognized by all, including the employees of the Cemetery as well as vendors, funeral directors, families who have loved ones in the Cemetery and especially the Boards of Directors who have worked with Jim throughout the years.” Mr. Austin joined the Elmlawn Cemetery staff in 2008 and has served as its General Manager since January of 2009.

Elmlawn Cemetery was founded in 1901 and is located in Kenmore, NY. Elmlawn Cemetery serves all faiths, consists of over 100 acres which includes 75,000 interments, 6 veteran’s sections and 3 mausoleums.

Holy Rood Chapel Mausoleum Addition
By Peter J. Ryan, CCCE

To frequent visitors to the grounds of Holy Rood Cemetery, very noticeable is the construction in the southeast corner of the cemetery adjoining the Holy Rood Chapel Mausoleum. This is the final phase of this three phase project and will for all intents and purposes complete the development of interment space at this cemetery. The addition has been architecturally designed and attractively styled to complete the existing structure.

The project consists of the construction of approximately 3,000 interior crypt spaces, featuring single and companion crypts. Also available will be four private family rooms. The corridors will be heated for a more comfortable environment for visitation, and the crypts will be faced in marble or granite. Additional niche spaces will also be available for the inurnment of cremated remains.

Although constructed entirely of the most durable building materials of concrete, brick and steel, the use of stained glass features and special lighting will soften and enhance the visitation areas.
Anticipated completion will be in early fall 2010.

Norwalk Wilbert Vault Co. Presents Grant to Benefit Grieving Children
The Wilbert Foundation and Norwalk Wilbert Vault Company, LLC have awarded a $9,144 grant to St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children (Bayside, New York), one of the nation’s leading providers of rehabilitation, specialized medical care, and education to children with special needs and life-limiting conditions.

The grant will support St. Mary’s Annual Tree Planting Ceremony, a special memorial service led by the pediatric chaplain to honor former child patients.

Formed by Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. in September 2002, the Wilbert Foundation provides crucial funds and resources for children and their families coping with the trauma of grief, death, or preparation for surgery.

By the close of 2010, the foundation will have distributed $570,000 in total grants, including funds for the country’s most comprehensive training program for pediatric chaplains. The Wilbert Foundation remains diligent in its journey to build an endowment fund of $1,000,000. It has also given 2,375 teddy bears to grieving children at 71 different hospitals.

Disaster Preparedness Committee Report
By Valerie Newell, Chair, Disaster Preparedness Committee

In October, members of the Disaster Preparedness Committee were given a mission-based approach to tasks related to disaster preparedness by new chair, Valerie Newell. Comments and discussions have been held as to how these tasks will be undertaken. A primary objective will be to grow more opportunities to reach cemeteries and other entities about cemetery involvement in disaster preparedness activities.

A generic presentation and a written outline of same will be formulated to be given at community-based meetings. This will be a management-based approach to handling emergencies/disasters for cemeteries and will be the main focus of the committee. This will be tailored for inclusion on the NYSAC website once it is finalized.

Together with on-site outreach to communities, and the written outline, a handout is being created which will have accurate and quality websites and telephone numbers for cemeteries to have as part of their contingency emergency management protocols. This, together with the outline itself, will be a living document and will be updated as necessary by the committee.

More information about the progress of the Disaster Preparedness Committee will be forthcoming as it becomes available.

Public Affairs Seminar
click here for more information on the Public Affairs Seminar

Cemetery Management with a Heart
By Valerie Newell

As I write this, it is cold and there is no snow in Albany. The view from my warm car through the window reveals that the holiday wreathes, saddles and decorations look spent, withered and sad. Funeral flowers cannot be removed from newer burials as they are frozen to the ground. All in all, it is the worst time to look at a cemetery. Nobody comes in to tidy up their lots and there is no green grass, no flowering trees or shrubs, no flags fluttering in a warm breeze, no annual flowers in front of stones giving color to even gray granite. Some ribbons show that saddles and wreathes have blown off into the hedgerows and frankly it is a bleak and depressing landscape.

It has always made me wonder why families come in the worst of weather to visit a grave. What comfort can such a disheveled place bring? It is cold, not park-like, not filled with happy voices.
I remember that on a walk through the orderly lines of graves earlier in the fall, I was struck by the beautiful autumn colors, the way the summer flowers so well-tended by loved ones have flourished the way they always do right before the frost. I think today too about how as I walked that day that there were tokens of affection almost to distraction on so many of the graves. Truthfully, it has always made me shake my head as to why people bring items to the cemetery that blow like trash from grave to grave no matter what the season – the cards and letters, balloons, birthday cake and cookies, carved Halloween pumpkins, cheerfully decorated Christmas trees, stuffed animals, graduation announcements, Mylar-wrapped roses, coffee or soda for a loved-one who can no longer see them, hold them, smell the scents, taste them.

As a manager, I have set rules in place to minimize the mess, yet it still appears. Why bother, I think, to bring anything that will be brown, wet or eaten by the deer in less than a day or pulled off by cemetery staff as not allowed. Early on in my cemeterian career, I was told that I had no heart and that I was cold because I would not allow so many decorations. I have been called impossible to deal with, that I was unfair and not understanding about what a family was going through. Once, I was even told I was no fun. All because I wanted my cemetery to be a respectful place for memorialization and not carnival-like in appearance.

My mother passed away in December, and suddenly I found myself wanting to leave her a little something on Christmas Day that would say that she was not forgotten as family gifts were exchanged. This week, I wanted to buy her a Valentine and put it on her grave – one with words that said how much she meant to me on a day where everyone says “I love you.” I understand now that the desire not to lose a memory sometimes cannot be met through carving on granite. It is evident to me now that there is comfort for the living in going through the process of purchasing and bringing to their loved one, even after they have passed, a token of affection, appreciation, remembrance or recognition.

In terms of lot decorations, while I still need to keep the cemetery safe, tidy and respectful, maybe like the Grinch, my heart is now worn a bit more on my sleeve. I know now that I walk in the shoes of the families that I serve, that what makes a cemetery a place of memorialization is the love that families show by visiting- no matter what the weather. Maybe too, even by the tokens left there for all to see even briefly, that a special person is not forgotten on special days or ever.

Kensico Cemetery Celebrates Daffodil Days for Cancer Awarenes
For the fifteenth consecutive year, The Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY, is participating in the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days by inviting visitors, lot owners, and funeral parties to take free daffodils to the gravesite of loved ones from Thursday, March 18, through Sunday, March 21.

The fresh-cut daffodils-----the American Cancer Society’s symbol of hope that cancer will be eliminated as a major health problem-----will be available at the Administration Building on Lakeview Avenue every day from 9AM and 3:30PM. Visitors may also pick up contribution envelopes if they would like to make a donation to support the American Cancer Society in memory of someone who died from breast cancer.

In announcing Kensico’s participation, Chester S. Day, President of Kensico Cemetery said, “Daffodil Days give visitors a meaningful way to welcome spring, celebrate life and honor our loved ones who battled this disease.”

MCA Service Award Recipient: Nicholas Maenza of Somers Troop 376
Todd Cemetery Renovation (360 hours logged)
By Nicholas Maenza

For my Eagle Scout project I plan to renovate parts of the Todd Cemetery. Our Troop 376 Somers, New York, currently maintains the cemetery grounds by cutting the grass. The cemetery is located at the corner of Route 100 and Route 139 in Somers, New York. It is adjacent to a major road way and is driven by very often. In 1988, a scout from Troop 228 Somers, New York, did his Eagle Scout project there: he mapped out the stones at the cemetery and made a record of the people buried at that plot, what time period they lived, other writing on the stones and also kept a record of the condition of each stone. Since it has been over 20 years since the condition of the stones was recorded, the conditions of some stones have changed.

I have met with Florence Oliver, who will be my contact for the project. She is the Somers Town Historian and on the board of the Somers Historical Society. She seems enthusiastic about the project and has ideas on how to make the project more successful.

I plan to create a new sign in front of the cemetery. The sign currently in place has chipped on some corners and some of the writing has begun to fade away. I will ask for help from parents with routers to carve the letters in the wood. I plan to paint and stain the sign to water proof it. The posts holding up the sign will either be replaced or refurbished. If the posts are weathered, then they will be dug up and new ones will be put in place. If the posts are securely in the ground then they will have metal tops put on them and the posts will be painted the same color as the tops.

Dead tree limbs hang over the right side of the cemetery and fall on the ground. During grass cutting, tree limbs are always being picked up that have fallen. I plan to use ladders and loppers to reach the dead tree limbs and only cut the tree limbs that are dead. The tree limbs will be taken away and cut into small pieces and disposed of properly.

The stones at the cemetery have fungus growing on them which makes some of them unreadable. I have done research and have found out that the most efficient way to clean the stones will be to use a pump sprayer, soft bristle brushes and soft plastic scrapers and gently scrape away the fungi growing on each stone.

The steps leading up to the cemetery have gaps in-between each step. I plan to fill in the spaces with soil. The record book of the stones is all up to date except for the condition of the stones, so I plan to map out each stone at the cemetery a create a new record book containing the updated condition of each stone. The record book will also contain a written history of the Todd’s and the cemetery.

Components of Project
• Cleaned each headstone and footstone. This was done with water, plastic scrapers, soft bristle brushes and pump sprayers as not to damage the stones.
• Moved eight large rock slabs on the rock wall in the front of the cemetery, so that they are aligned.
• Tree limbs were hanging low enough to hit the stone and damage them. Many tree limbs were cut and pruned back, along with removal of dead branches. Cutting the tree limbs allowed more light on the area allowing the grass to grow. Additional grass seed was planted in the area.
• Filled in gaps in-between the stairs with rocks and cement.
• Scraped old paint off of each wrought iron gate and repainted each gate.
• Created an information sheet for each headstone that contains all the information about that stone along with the condition of the stone.
• Remapped the cemetery showing where each headstone, footstone, gate, stairs, wall and monument is.
• Installed Belgium blocks to create an outline for the garden in the front.
• Planted two boxwood bushes and seven mum plants in the garden and put mulch along with two American flags.
• Erected a new sign to replace the existing old weathered damaged sign.

10 Simple Ways to Make a Difference
By Andrea L. Vittum, White Haven Memorial Parks, Inc.

This is part 10 in a 10 part series on simple ways cemeteries can make a difference in protecting our environment. Each one has contained examples of projects you can complete on your way to achieving certification as a member of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program. For further information on this program, contact Audubon International at 418-767-9051 or visit their Web site at www.audubonintl.org.

#10: Reduce the Use of Chemicals

While chemicals can often provide a quick and easy solution to your grounds maintenance problems, they can also be very costly, both to you and to the environment. Luckily, there are several simple steps you can take to reduce the amount and toxicity of the chemicals you use. First, look at the label. Always choose products with “Caution” on the label instead of “Danger”. Next, look for alternative products such as soaps and oils to replace chemicals. You can also adopt an Integrated Pest Management program to help identify specific areas of pest activity and reduce the size of the total area you need to treat.

Benefits (to YOU and the environment!)
* Reducing your use of chemicals will also reduce your operational costs.
* Reducing the toxicity of chemicals you select will avoid damage to plants and wildlife.
* Having fewer chemicals on your property means fewer storage and disposal concerns.
* With free information from Audubon International or your county cooperative extension, you can achieve the same level of pest control with far fewer chemicals.

White Haven Announces Opening of Lasting Light Mausoleum
By Andrea L. Vittum

Lasting Light Mausoleum at White Haven Memorial Park in Pittsford, NY, is now open. The new mausoleum features cozy fireplaces and warm, cherry wood furnishings. It was constructed by internationally known mausoleum builder, Milne Mausoleums, Inc. of Portland, Oregon. The building contains above-ground burial spaces for both caskets and urns and is the first phase of a planned two phase development.

“We build a new building every three or four years”, Vittum said, “so that we can keep up to date with the community’s desire for particular types of above-ground burial spaces and with the latest trends in interior design . We work with interior designer Sally Zamiara of Studio 222 in Rochester, NY and each building has its own distinct style. Some families who have purchased before the time of need will actually trade in their spaces in older buildings for spaces in the new one just because they like the most contemporary surroundings. ”

According to Vittum, burial space in the new building has been for sale for about a year from blueprints. Although many spaces have been sold, some choice locations near the fireplaces are still available. Also popular are the very economical spaces on the exterior of the building. “People are usually surprised,” Vittum said, “to learn that above-ground burial, whether for an urn for cremated remains or for a full casket, can actually be much more economical than traditional ground burial. According to Vittum, above-ground burial is also a highly efficient use of land, yielding about 5,000 spaces per acre compared to about 1,000 per acre for traditional ground burial.

Phase I of the Lasting Light Mausoleum contains 804 casket spaces and 514 spaces for cremated remains. Interior crypt spaces include bronze lettering on an imported “Golden Beach” marble front, while interior niche spaces (for cremated remains) include either bronze lettering on a cherry wood front or decorative urns with photos and name plaques that are visible behind glass fronts. All exterior spaces include bronze lettering on solid granite fronts. The bronze lettering is supplied by Matthews International Corp. of Pittsburgh, PA.

Design work on the next phase of the Lasting Light Mausoleum is already underway and it is currently scheduled for construction in 2012.

Great Horned Owl Returned to Woodlawn Cemetery
By Susan Olsen

Last summer, an ailing great horned owl was found on the grounds of the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. Cemetery staff took the owl for emergency care and she was sent to the Raptor Trust in Millington, New Jersey for rehabilitation. The staff at the Trust advised the cemetery that “Ernestine” had contracted West Nile Virus. Fortunately they were able to nurse her back to health.
After four months of care, the staff and volunteers from the Raptor Trust contacted Woodlawn to arrange for the release of the Great Horned Owl. Arrangements were made to bring Ernestine to the Bronx at dusk (owls hunt at night) so she could be reintroduced to her home. They brought the owl to the site where it was found by Woodlawn’s workers as it was most likely not far from her nest.
Ernestine arrived in a big cardboard box. Slowly the flaps of the carton were opened and everyone stepped back to give her room to fly. She hopped out of the box, and jumped to a nearby gravestone. Totally unflustered with the situation, Ernestine looked around at the group, posed for pictures and then flew up to a nearby tree. After taking a few minutes to survey the surroundings, Woodlawn’s Great Horned Owl took off, spreading her four foot wings, and headed toward the lake.
Woodlawn’s Security Guards hear the owl after dark as she calls to her friends. The successful release of this extraordinary creature would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of the Raptor Trust. For more information on this organization go to theraptortrust.org

Fall Conference
By John Toale, 2010 Fall Conference Chair

Things are coming together for an educational and enjoyable fall conference so make your plans and schedule the dates on your calendars. The resort is first class and we will be offering two rooming options for the first time. The Lodge suites are a separate building just a short walk from the casino and offer luxurious and spacious accommodations while the Tower rooms allow smoking and close proximity to the gambling. We will come together Sunday evening for a dinner event with entertainment.

The annual golf tournament will be held Sunday afternoon to help facilitate a day shorter agenda. I believe that this will encourage better attendance during the Monday/Tuesday programming and the Annual Banquet to be held on Monday night. Last year, Jay Ivler asked for a more informal atmosphere at the banquet and we eliminated the head table and everyone sat together with less fanfare.

The meeting room offers our group privacy and is adequate in size to accommodate our Suppliers in the same room. I have two speakers lined up and I know that you will enjoy their presentations and talking with them during the conference. The program will be rounded out with quality programming covering business management and motivational topics. I look forward to seeing all of you at Turning Stone.

The conference will be held at Turning Stone Resort & Casino (just off the Thruway) in Verona, NY (near Syracuse). Make sure to mark your calendars NOW! Sunday, October 3 through noon, Tuesday, October 5. We’ll see you there!