At town meeting, Woolwich voters rejected a warrant article that would have provided financial assistance for private cemetery associations. The proposed $6,660 cemetery stipend was intended to meet a new state law that requires towns and private organizations to work together to maintain veterans’ graves.

At the selectmen’s meeting on May 19, several members of local cemetery associations expressed their disappointment with the vote and made it clear that the cemetery issue is not going away.

“We are wondering since plan A didn’t work, what’s plan B,” asked Lori Vining, Laurel Grove Cemetery Association. Chairman David King responded that there was no plan B, at least not at the moment.

Vining, and others, chastised the selectmen for not supporting the measure at town meeting. “What disturbs me is I felt we had the backing of the selectboard,” said Chet Grover, Bailey Cemetery Association. “I left our last meeting with a great feeling. It disturbed me that you didn’t convey that feeling at town meeting.”

The selectmen responded that it was not their action, or inaction, but the strong sentiments expressed by members of other cemetery associations at town meeting that had persuaded voters to reject the cemetery proposal.

“Here’s the thing, nobody from any cemetery association spoke for it (the stipend) at town meeting,” Selectman Allison Hepler said, “and two cemetery association representatives spoke against it.”

“The five of us are not the legislative body of this town,” King said. “None of us spoke against the stipend; none of us voted against it. All I said is I agreed with Greg Doak.”

Hepler proposed that a town committee be formed to work with local organizations on grave care. She noted that although the state law requires towns to work with local organizations, it does not require towns provide money to associations.

An impassioned discussion ensued for the next 45 minutes, with most in the audience speaking in support of town involvement in maintaining veterans’ graves.

Fred Karhl suggested a petition be circulated for a special town meeting or referendum to revisit the stipend question. “You can force a special election at any time with a petition,” Selectman Jason Shaw said.

By the end of the meeting, it was agreed that a new town committee would be formed and the selectmen would meet again with cemetery associations.

“The best thing to do is to set up another workshop to ask which cemeteries want to be involved,” King said. “The associations also need to decide for themselves whether they want to be involved.”

On Tuesday, Vining said at least some of the cemetery associations will also pursue the petition route to return the stipend question to voters.

In other business, the board approved $5,500 from the alewives account for inspection of the dam valve that needs repair. Hepler reported that although there has been no final ruling, it appears that Woolwich may be released from the West Bath RSU 1 funding lawsuit.