The City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to approve a capital equipment purchase for Brooksby farm and additional funding for the restoration of the Emerson Cemetery.
Councilors approved a $95,367 transfer from the Brooksby Farm Revolving Account to the city’s account for capital improvement purchases that Finance Director Mike Gingras said would be used to fund the purchase of new tractor equipment. Gingras had initially submitted a request to councilors for $107,000 for the equipment purchase but said the city received a revised quote at the lower cost.
Gingras explained that the new equipment would be narrower and allow for greater ease of navigation in high-density orchards.
A motion made by Councilor-at-Large Tom Gould to approve the transfer passed unanimously.
Councilors also approved an additional $2,035 for new fencing at the Emerson Cemetery, which comes on the heels of a prior $6,855 allocation for fencing there. The new fencing at the cemetery is part of a restoration effort undertaken by the Historical Commission, which councilors lauded during the brief meeting.
Councilor-at-Large Anne Manning-Martin commended the work of the commission and said the restoration has left the cemetery looking “absolutely gorgeous.”
Ward 2 Councilor Peter McGinn echoed Manning-Martin, saying he had received several positive comments from residents about the restoration.
“It’s really a home run,” McGinn said.
