Matters ▸ Attachment
Veteran Memorial Cemetery Revised CPA Application Memo — File 25-0059
CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES
167 Holland Street, Ste 322 Somerville, MA 02144
KATJANA BALLANTYNE
MAYOR
To: Community Preservation Committee (CPC)
From: Department of Veterans' Services
Date: November 19, 2024
Subject: Revised Scope and Funding Request for Somerville Veterans Memorial Cemetery & Monuments Restoration
Project
After receiving feedback from the committee during the meeting on October 23, 2024 our department has
revised the scope of the Somerville Veterans Memorial Cemetery restoration project. This revised proposal now
includes the restoration of additional monuments and memorials throughout the city. The Veterans Memorial
Cemetery remains the highest priority for immediate restoration with a new proposed total project cost of
$136,275 that includes:
A comprehensive Preservation Survey of the cemetery and other monuments and memorials throughout
the city ($18,500).
First phase of construction and restoration work focused on the cemetery ($100,000), as recommended
by preservation conservator.
A 15% contingency fee for unforeseen expenses.
This approach ensures that all historic objects under the department's care are evaluated and restored in
alignment with best practices.
We have engaged Daedalus, a historic preservation conservator, to conduct a Preservation Survey or Study for
the condition of the cemetery and several additional memorials across Somerville. Daedalus will provide a
comprehensive report detailing the current condition of these objects, propose treatment procedures, and
estimate the costs for the restoration work. This survey will adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s
Standards for Restoration and will guide future conservation efforts.
The Preservation Survey will include detailed assessments of the cemetery as well as monuments across the
city, including key sites such as the WWI Memorial at Union Square, the Civil War Memorial at Somerville
Avenue Cemetery, and more. This study will guide preservation efforts and ensure that all elements are treated
with the care and attention they require.
COMMISSIONERS
Kevin Dickinson
Thomas Gorman
James Marques
Ellen Sullivan - Secretary
Jodi Vachon
Chair – Tom White
The first phase prioritizes:
Completion of the Preservation Survey to inform the scope of future work.
Immediate restoration and construction efforts focused on the cemetery.
The cemetery remains the highest priority for this phase, with work on additional monuments to follow based
on the survey findings and future funding applications.
The conservator has also visited other selected monuments around the city and provided valuable feedback on
the restoration process. His comments emphasize the importance of restoring these objects with the highest
level of care, ensuring that they are handled by experts who regularly care for historic objects. The conservator
has stressed that the work will be thoroughly documented with detailed reports and images, which will serve as
a guide for future caretakers. This documentation will be essential for future generations tasked with preserving
these monuments, ensuring the continuity of their legacy.
Additionally, the conservator emphasized that restoring these monuments is a vital part of preserving the city’s
history, as it allows future generations to connect with the past and understand the significance of these objects.
By restoring and maintaining these monuments, we ensure that the stories of our veterans and the community
are remembered and honored. The construction process will be directed by the findings of the conservator’s
study, ensuring that the project adheres to preservation standards while maintaining the historical integrity of
the site.
We would like to emphasize that this funding request is critical for the success of this project, as it will lay the
groundwork for future funding opportunities. Securing this initial funding will significantly enhance our ability
to leverage matched contributions from other grants, including the State Historical Records Advisory Board
(SHRAB) and similar programs. The total funding request is $136,275. Any work not completed during this
phase will be included in next year’s funding application to continue restoration efforts.
If the final costs of the first phase are less than estimated or if funds remain unused, the balance will be returned
to the CPC.
We are committed to preserving the city's historical assets with the highest standards of care and appreciate
your guidance and support as we proceed.
Thank you for your consideration.
Enclosed
Budget Summary
Daedalus Proposal
CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
FY24 CPA FUNDING CYCLE BUDGET SUMMARY FORM
26
PROJECT NAME:
APPLICANT:
SUMMARY OF PROJECT COSTS
In addition to this form please include a complete itemized budget of all project expenses, including the proposed funding source for each expense, in your submission.
PROPOSED SOURCE
EXPENSES
STUDY
SOFT COSTS (1)
ACQUISITION
CONSTRUCTION (2)
CONTINGENCY (3)
TOTAL
1
Somerville CPA
2
3
4
5
TOTAL PROJECT COSTS
(1) Soft costs include design, professional services, permitting fees, closing costs, legal, etc.
(2) Construction includes new construction, preservation, rehabilitation, restoration work, and/or accessibility related expenses.
(3) A 15% contingency is strongly recommended for all construction projects.
EXPLANATION OF FUNDING SOURCES
Please explain the status of each funding source (i.e., submitting application on X date, applied on X date, received award notification on X date, funds on hand, etc.). For
sources where funding has been awarded or funds are on hand, please attach documentation from the funding source (e.g., commitment letter, bank statement).
SOURCE
SECURED?
(YES/NO)
STATUS OF FUNDING SOURCE
1
2
3
4
5
Somerville Veterans Memorial Cemetery Restoration Project
Somerville Dept. of Veterans' Services & Veterans Commission
18,500
100,000
17,775.00
136,275.00
$136,275.00
SHRAB Veterans' Heritage Grant
No
matched 50% contribution; submitting application date Dec 5th
VA Veterans Cemetery Grant FY2026
No
if applicable will submit July 1st 2025
Daedalus
205-3 ARLINGTON STREET
WATERTOWN, MA 02472
[phone removed] ◊ DAEDALUSART.COM
CONSERVATORS OF SCULPTURE ◊ MONUMENTS ◊ ARCHITECTURAL ORNAMENT ◊ DECORATIVE ARTS ◊ ANTIQUITIES
Proposal for Preservation Survey
Objects: Veterans Memorials & Veterans Cemetery Objects in the City of Somerville Ma
Materials: Various types of stone & metal
Prepared For: Somerville Veterans Services
Contact: Nancy Blanchard
As Requested, Daedalus will supply the City of Somerville, Office of Veterans Services with a
Preservation Survey for the historic monuments, markers and architectural ornament which
honor those who served this nation.
The survey will include the following:
• Detail the current condition of the comprised elements of the Veterans Cemetery
(Broadway) this important, historic and powerful site which was built in gratitude for the
extreme sacrifices made by our ancestors. The site incorporates a variety of objects made
from different materials, each requiring a unique plan for treatment. These elements
include:
o The Bronze Grave Markers
o The Bronze Plaques
o The Bronze Sculpture/Bust
o The Granite Memorials
o The Entrance Posts and Iron Fence & Gate
• In addition, the following Veterans Memorials across the city will be included in the survey:
o WW2/ Korean Memorial @ City Hall
o WW2 Memorial @ C.Hill Cemetery
o Old Police Station @ 50 Bow st
o Civil War Memorial @ Som. Ave Cemetery
o Murphy Memorial @ Foss Park
o Magoun Plaque @ Trum Field
o WW 1 Memorial @ Union SQ
o East Sommerville Memorial @ E. Somerville Library
Daedalus
205-3 ARLINGTON STREET
WATERTOWN, MA 02472
[phone removed] ◊ DAEDALUSART.COM
CONSERVATORS OF SCULPTURE ◊ MONUMENTS ◊ ARCHITECTURAL ORNAMENT ◊ DECORATIVE ARTS ◊ ANTIQUITIES
Approach for survey
• The conditions will be documented by describing the way the objects were fabricated and
noting the environmental circumstances which have caused the degradation. The report will
include photographs which will help illustrate the written descriptions.
• Historical Research and the inclusion of early images (if available) will be used in the report
to help detail the conditions.
• Recommend treatment procedures, methods and materials to be used for the cleaning and
surface repairs of each of the elements listed.
• Treatment procedures proposed will follow the Secretary of Interiors Standards of
Restoration (title 36/ Section 68) as well as the Guidelines for Treatment of Historic Works
set by the American Institute for Conservation. Each treatment procedure proposed
(approach) will be justified with a description of why the treatment is needed (reason).
• Provide the owners with a range of anticipated costs for the treatment of the objects.
• This survey should be used as a guideline for approaching treatment. It will NOT be written
in a form that can/should be used as biddable specifications but could be included in a bid
package as an appendix once the perimeters of the work is established, if needed.
• This survey will be an important snap-shot of the condition of the site which can be added
to the historical record and used by future generations to help guide their preservation
efforts.
• We have completed these surveys for many local municipalities and institutions including
the City of Medford, the City of Boston, Mount Auburn Cemetery and MIT.
• We anticipate that two of our staff members will be onsite for a several days documenting
the conditions. The written report will take several weeks to write and compile.
• If the project does go out for public procurement Daedalus will be permitted to take part in
the bidding/ hands on treatment process.
Estimated Cost: $18,500
Josh Craine 11/2024