State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Npc > Article-15 > 1511

§ 1511. Cemetery indebtedness.    (a)   Certificates of indebtedness.  (1)  If a cemetery corporation be  indebted for lands purchased for  cemetery  purposes,  or  for  services  rendered  or  materials  furnished  in connection with the necessary and  proper preservation  or  improvement  of  its  cemetery  or  for  moneys  borrowed  exclusively  for  payment  of  such services or materials, the  directors, by the concurring vote of a majority of their  whole  number,  with the consent of the creditor to whom such indebtedness is owing, may  issue certificates under the corporate seal, signed by the president and  secretary,  for  such  amount,  payable  at the times and at the rate of  interest agreed upon but  not  to  exceed  six  per  centum  per  annum;  provided,  however, that there be first obtained from the cemetery board  an order approving the issuance of such certificates.   In the  case  of  certificates  of indebtedness issued for moneys borrowed exclusively for  payment for services rendered or materials furnished in connection  with  the necessary and proper preservation or improvement of its cemetery the  consent  of the creditor to whom such indebtedness is owing shall not be  required.  (2)  Such approval shall be given by the cemetery board  only  if  it  determines  that  the  amount of the certificates proposed to be  issued does not exceed the fair and reasonable  value  of  the  services  rendered  or  materials furnished or the purchase price of real property  as fixed in accordance  with  subdivision  (b)  of  this  section.    No  certificate  issued shall be valid or enforceable unless there has first  been issued by the  cemetery  board  an  order  of  approval  as  herein  provided.    No  certificate shall be for less than one hundred dollars.  The certificate  shall  be  transferable  by  delivery,  unless  therein  otherwise  provided.    (3)   The directors shall keep an account of the  number and amount of such certificates, the persons to whom issued,  the  date  of  maturity,  the  rate of interest and the purpose for which the  same were issued.    Each  cemetery  corporation  shall  file  with  the  cemetery  board  a  verified statement setting forth all changes in such  account during the previous calendar or fiscal year.  (4)  The directors  shall set aside from the proceeds of sales  of  lots,  plots  and  parts  thereof  such  sums  to  pay  such certificates at maturity as they deem  necessary.  Until the certificates are paid the holders thereof shall be  entitled at all meetings of the corporation, to one vote  for  each  one  hundred  dollars  of  indebtedness  remaining  unpaid, except that those  certificates of indebtedness issued for moneys borrowed exclusively  for  payment  of  services  or  materials  shall  have no voting power.   The  certificates shall not be a lien upon any  lot,  plot  or  part  thereof  belonging to a lot owner.    (b)  Application of proceeds of sales of lots.  (1)  At least one-half  of  the proceeds of sales of lots or the use thereof remaining after the  deductions for the portion thereof  required  to  be  deposited  in  the  permanent  maintenance  fund  and current maintenance fund together with  the expenses of sale shall be applied by a cemetery corporation  to  the  payment  of the purchase price of the real property acquired by it.  The  remainder of such proceeds  shall  be  applied  by  the  corporation  to  preserving,  improving  and  embellishing  the  cemetery grounds and the  avenues and roads leading thereto, and to  defraying  its  expenses  and  discharging  its liabilities.  After the payment of such purchase price,  and the expense of surveying  and  laying  out  the  cemetery,  all  the  proceeds of such sales shall be applied to the improvement, preservation  and  embellishment of the cemetery and to such expenses and liabilities.  (2)  Where a corporation has agreed with a person  from  whom  any  such  lands  were  purchased  to  pay therefor a specified share not exceeding  one-half of the proceeds of sales of lots therein or  the  use  thereof,  such  corporation  may  continue to make payments as so agreed, providedhowever that there be first deducted from said  proceeds  of  sales  the  amount  required  to  be deposited in the permanent maintenance fund and  current maintenance fund as aforesaid  together  with  the  expenses  of  sale.   The balance of such proceeds shall continue to be applied by the  corporation to the preservation, improvement and  embellishment  of  the  cemetery,  and  the  expenses and liabilities of the corporation.  Where  the corporation has heretofore agreed to pay a specified  share  of  the  proceeds  as  aforesaid  in  payment  of the purchase price of land, the  prices of lots or the use thereof in force when such purchase was  made,  shall  not  be changed, while the purchase price remains unpaid, without  the written consent of a majority in interest of the persons  from  whom  the  lands  were  purchased  or  their  legal representatives.   (3)   A  corporation which has hertofore issued certificates of land shares which  entitle the owner to a specified share in the proceeds of  the  sale  of  lots,  may  purchase such certificates with its surplus or reserve funds  and hold such certificates for the benefit of  its  surplus  or  reserve  funds, but such certificates may not thereafter be sold or reissued.    (c)      Certificates  of  stock  formerly  issued.    If  a  cemetery  corporation,  incorporated  under  a  law  repealed  by  the  membership  corporations   law,   prior   to   September   first,  eighteen  hundred  ninety-five, converted its outstanding indebtedness or  certificates  of  indebtedness  into  certificates  of  stock,  in  pursuance  of  law, no  interest shall accrue to the holders  of  such  stock,  but  they  shall  receive   annually   or  semi-annually  a  dividend  thereon  for  their  proportional  part  of  the  entire  surplus  or  net  receipts  of  the  corporation over and above current expenses; or if the proportion of the  net  receipts or surplus which stockholders shall be entitled to receive  shall have been fixed by agreement at the time of  issuing  such  stock,  such  stockholders  shall be entitled to receive dividends in accordance  with such agreement.  Such certificates of stock shall  be  transferable  only   on  the  books  of  the  corporation  on  the  surrender  of  the  certificate, unless otherwise provided on the face thereof, and on every  such surrender a new certificate of stock shall be issued to the  person  to  whom  the  same  has been transferred; and the holders of such stock  shall be entitled, in person or by proxy, to one vote  for  every  share  thereof,  at  each  meeting of the corporation.  A register of the stock  issued by the corporation shall be kept by  its  directors  showing  the  date  of issue, the number of shares, the par value thereof, the name of  each person to whom issued, the number of the certificates therefor; and  all transfers of such stock shall be noted and entered in such register,  and the certificates surrendered shall be deemed canceled by  the  issue  of   a  new  certificate,  and  the  surrendered  certificate  shall  be  destroyed.  Any director may become the holder  or  transferee  of  such  stock  for  his own individual use or benefit.  No such stock shall be a  lien on the lot of any individual lot owner within the cemetery  limits;  and  no other or greater liability of the corporation issuing such stock  shall be created or deemed to exist than may be necessary to enforce the  faithful application of the surplus or net receipts of  the  corporation  to  and  among  the  holders  of  the  stock  in the manner hereinbefore  specified.  A cemetery which has heretofore issued such certificates  of  stock is a membership corporation and not a stock corporation.    (d)     Retirement  of  certificates  of  stock  of  certain  cemetery  corporations.   If a cemetery  association,  incorporated  under  a  law  repealed  by  chapter  five  hundred  fifty-nine of the laws of eighteen  hundred  ninety-five  has  changed  certificates  of  indebtedness  into  certificates of stock, pursuant to chapter one hundred seven of the laws  of  eighteen  hundred  seventy-nine,  and such stock remains unimpaired,  such association may retire such stock and issue  in  exchange  thereforcertificates  of  indebtedness representing the par value of such stock,  such certificates of  indebtedness  to  bear  interest  at  a  rate  not  exceeding  six  per centum per annum from the date of the last preceding  dividend  payment;  provided,  however,  the  exchange of such stock for  certificates of indebtedness  shall  be  authorized  at  a  duly  called  meeting  of  such  association  by  the  affirmative  vote  of  at least  two-thirds  of  the  stock  issued  and  outstanding  and  of  at  least  two-thirds  of all votes cast at such meeting in favor of such exchange.  Any holder of such stock not voting in favor of  the  exchange  of  such  stock for certificates of indebtedness may at any time prior to the vote  upon  such  exchange,  or  if  notice  of  the meeting to vote upon such  exchange was not mailed to him at least twenty days prior to the  taking  of  such vote, then within twenty days after the mailing of such notice,  object to such exchange and demand payment for his stock  and  thereupon  such stockholder or the corporation shall have the right, subject to the  same   conditions  and  provisions  contained  in  section  six  hundred  twenty-three of  the  business  corporation  law,  to  have  such  stock  appraised  and paid for as provided in such section.  Such objection and  demand must  be  in  writing  and  filed  with  the  corporation.    The  provisions  of this section relating to certificates of indebtedness and  the rights of  the  holders  thereof  shall  apply  to  certificates  of  indebtedness  issued  as  provided  in this subdivision.   The stocks so  retired shall not be reissued by such association and it shall  have  no  right thereafter to issue any certificates of stock.    (e)    Purchase,  retirement  and exchange of stock.   (1)  A cemetery  corporation which has issued certificates of stock, pursuant to  chapter  one  hundred  seven  of  the  laws  of eighteen hundred seventy-nine, or  chapter  two  hundred  sixty-seven  of  the  laws  of  eighteen  hundred  ninety-four, may purchase such certificates of stock with its surplus or  reserve funds, and hold such certificates for the benefit of its surplus  or  reserve  funds,  but such certificates of stock so purchased may not  thereafter be sold or reissued.  (2)  A cemetery corporation  which  has  issued  certificates  of  stock  may  also effect the retirement of such  stock as follows:   The board of directors  of  such  corporation  shall  adopt  by  vote  of  a majority of the entire number of such directors a  plan for such retirement which shall include the fixing of a price which  the corporation will pay for all shares of stock then outstanding, which  price shall, in the opinion of such directors, represent the fair  value  of  such  stock.    The  said  plan  shall be submitted to a duly called  meeting of the members of such  corporation  and,  if  approved  by  the  affirmative  vote  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  all votes cast at such  meeting, including the affirmative vote of the holders of record  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  all  shares  of stock issued and then outstanding  exclusive of any shares of stock held by the corporation,  shall  become  binding  upon  all  stockholders, and they shall proceed to transfer and  surrender to the corporation their certificates of stock and to  receive  payment  therefor in accordance with the terms of such plan.  Any holder  of shares of such stock not voting in favor of such plan may at any time  prior to the vote approving such plan, or if notice of  the  meeting  to  vote  upon such plan was not mailed to him at least twenty days prior to  the taking of such vote, then within twenty days after  the  mailing  of  such  notice,  but in any event within ten days after the taking of such  vote, by written notice filed with such corporation, object to such plan  and demand appraisal of his shares.  Thereupon, such stockholder or  the  corporation  shall  have  the  right, subject to the same conditions and  provisions contained in section six hundred twenty-three of the business  corporation law, to have such stock appraised and paid for  as  provided  in  such  section.    (3)    A  cemetery  corporation  which  has issuedcertificates of stock may also effect the  exchange  of  such  stock  as  follows:    The  board of directors of such corporation shall adopt by a  vote of a majority of the entire number of such directors a plan for the  exchange  of  all  shares of stock then outstanding for a like number of  participating  certificates.    Such  participating  certificates  shall  entitle  the  owners  to  a specified share not exceeding, collectively,  one-half of the proceeds of sales of lots therein  or  the  use  thereof  after  first deducting from such proceeds of sale the amount required to  be deposited in the permanent maintenance fund and  current  maintenance  fund  as  provided in and pursuant to subdivision (a) of section fifteen  hundred seven of this article, together with the expenses of sale.  Such  plan shall then be submitted to the cemetery board for its approval.  In  making its determination the  cemetery  board  shall  consider  and  may  condition  its approval on the purposes of this section.  Thereafter, if  the cemetery board approves such plan, or  in  the  event  the  cemetery  board  conditioned  its  approval  and  the conditions imposed have been  accepted by a vote of a majority of the entire board of directors of the  corporation, such plan shall be submitted to a duly  called  meeting  of  the  members  of  such  corporation, and, if approved by the affirmative  vote of at least two-thirds of all votes cast at such meeting, including  the affirmative vote of the holders of record of  at  least  ninety  per  centum  of  all shares of stock issued and then outstanding exclusive of  any shares of stock held by the corporation, shall become  binding  upon  all  stockholders.   The stockholders shall then proceed to transfer and  surrender to the corporation their shares of stock  and  to  receive  in  exchange  therefor  participating  certificates  in  accordance with the  terms of such plan.  Any holder of shares of such stock  not  voting  in  favor  of  such  plan  may  at any time prior to the vote approving such  plan, or if notice of the meeting to vote upon such plan was not  mailed  to  him  at  least  twenty  days  prior to the taking of such vote, then  within twenty days after the mailing of such notice, but  in  any  event  within  ten  days after the taking of such vote, by written notice filed  with such corporation, object to such plan and demand appraisal  of  his  shares.    Thereupon, such stockholder or the corporation shall have the  right, subject to  the  same  conditions  and  provisions  contained  in  section  six  hundred  twenty-three  of the business corporation law, to  have such stock appraised and paid for  as  provided  in  such  section.  Each  such  participating  certificate issued in exchange for a share of  stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote for each  certificate  at  all  meetings  of  the  corporation.   The prices of lots or the use  thereof at the time when such exchange is made  shall  not  be  changed,  while  such  participating  certificates remain outstanding, without the  written consent of a majority in interest of the holders thereof  except  as now or hereafter authorized by law.  The shares of stock so exchanged  shall  not  be  reissued  by such corporation and it shall have no right  thereafter to issue any shares of stock.    (f)  Exchange of certificates for shares.  The directors of a cemetery  corporation, which has issued certificates for shares, from time to time  by resolution, may fix the value of each of such  shares  and  authorize  the  acceptance  by the corporation of such certificates at the value so  fixed in payment for land.    All  certificates  so  accepted  shall  be  immediately cancelled and shall not be again issued.

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Npc > Article-15 > 1511

§ 1511. Cemetery indebtedness.    (a)   Certificates of indebtedness.  (1)  If a cemetery corporation be  indebted for lands purchased for  cemetery  purposes,  or  for  services  rendered  or  materials  furnished  in connection with the necessary and  proper preservation  or  improvement  of  its  cemetery  or  for  moneys  borrowed  exclusively  for  payment  of  such services or materials, the  directors, by the concurring vote of a majority of their  whole  number,  with the consent of the creditor to whom such indebtedness is owing, may  issue certificates under the corporate seal, signed by the president and  secretary,  for  such  amount,  payable  at the times and at the rate of  interest agreed upon but  not  to  exceed  six  per  centum  per  annum;  provided,  however, that there be first obtained from the cemetery board  an order approving the issuance of such certificates.   In the  case  of  certificates  of indebtedness issued for moneys borrowed exclusively for  payment for services rendered or materials furnished in connection  with  the necessary and proper preservation or improvement of its cemetery the  consent  of the creditor to whom such indebtedness is owing shall not be  required.  (2)  Such approval shall be given by the cemetery board  only  if  it  determines  that  the  amount of the certificates proposed to be  issued does not exceed the fair and reasonable  value  of  the  services  rendered  or  materials furnished or the purchase price of real property  as fixed in accordance  with  subdivision  (b)  of  this  section.    No  certificate  issued shall be valid or enforceable unless there has first  been issued by the  cemetery  board  an  order  of  approval  as  herein  provided.    No  certificate shall be for less than one hundred dollars.  The certificate  shall  be  transferable  by  delivery,  unless  therein  otherwise  provided.    (3)   The directors shall keep an account of the  number and amount of such certificates, the persons to whom issued,  the  date  of  maturity,  the  rate of interest and the purpose for which the  same were issued.    Each  cemetery  corporation  shall  file  with  the  cemetery  board  a  verified statement setting forth all changes in such  account during the previous calendar or fiscal year.  (4)  The directors  shall set aside from the proceeds of sales  of  lots,  plots  and  parts  thereof  such  sums  to  pay  such certificates at maturity as they deem  necessary.  Until the certificates are paid the holders thereof shall be  entitled at all meetings of the corporation, to one vote  for  each  one  hundred  dollars  of  indebtedness  remaining  unpaid, except that those  certificates of indebtedness issued for moneys borrowed exclusively  for  payment  of  services  or  materials  shall  have no voting power.   The  certificates shall not be a lien upon any  lot,  plot  or  part  thereof  belonging to a lot owner.    (b)  Application of proceeds of sales of lots.  (1)  At least one-half  of  the proceeds of sales of lots or the use thereof remaining after the  deductions for the portion thereof  required  to  be  deposited  in  the  permanent  maintenance  fund  and current maintenance fund together with  the expenses of sale shall be applied by a cemetery corporation  to  the  payment  of the purchase price of the real property acquired by it.  The  remainder of such proceeds  shall  be  applied  by  the  corporation  to  preserving,  improving  and  embellishing  the  cemetery grounds and the  avenues and roads leading thereto, and to  defraying  its  expenses  and  discharging  its liabilities.  After the payment of such purchase price,  and the expense of surveying  and  laying  out  the  cemetery,  all  the  proceeds of such sales shall be applied to the improvement, preservation  and  embellishment of the cemetery and to such expenses and liabilities.  (2)  Where a corporation has agreed with a person  from  whom  any  such  lands  were  purchased  to  pay therefor a specified share not exceeding  one-half of the proceeds of sales of lots therein or  the  use  thereof,  such  corporation  may  continue to make payments as so agreed, providedhowever that there be first deducted from said  proceeds  of  sales  the  amount  required  to  be deposited in the permanent maintenance fund and  current maintenance fund as aforesaid  together  with  the  expenses  of  sale.   The balance of such proceeds shall continue to be applied by the  corporation to the preservation, improvement and  embellishment  of  the  cemetery,  and  the  expenses and liabilities of the corporation.  Where  the corporation has heretofore agreed to pay a specified  share  of  the  proceeds  as  aforesaid  in  payment  of the purchase price of land, the  prices of lots or the use thereof in force when such purchase was  made,  shall  not  be changed, while the purchase price remains unpaid, without  the written consent of a majority in interest of the persons  from  whom  the  lands  were  purchased  or  their  legal representatives.   (3)   A  corporation which has hertofore issued certificates of land shares which  entitle the owner to a specified share in the proceeds of  the  sale  of  lots,  may  purchase such certificates with its surplus or reserve funds  and hold such certificates for the benefit of  its  surplus  or  reserve  funds, but such certificates may not thereafter be sold or reissued.    (c)      Certificates  of  stock  formerly  issued.    If  a  cemetery  corporation,  incorporated  under  a  law  repealed  by  the  membership  corporations   law,   prior   to   September   first,  eighteen  hundred  ninety-five, converted its outstanding indebtedness or  certificates  of  indebtedness  into  certificates  of  stock,  in  pursuance  of  law, no  interest shall accrue to the holders  of  such  stock,  but  they  shall  receive   annually   or  semi-annually  a  dividend  thereon  for  their  proportional  part  of  the  entire  surplus  or  net  receipts  of  the  corporation over and above current expenses; or if the proportion of the  net  receipts or surplus which stockholders shall be entitled to receive  shall have been fixed by agreement at the time of  issuing  such  stock,  such  stockholders  shall be entitled to receive dividends in accordance  with such agreement.  Such certificates of stock shall  be  transferable  only   on  the  books  of  the  corporation  on  the  surrender  of  the  certificate, unless otherwise provided on the face thereof, and on every  such surrender a new certificate of stock shall be issued to the  person  to  whom  the  same  has been transferred; and the holders of such stock  shall be entitled, in person or by proxy, to one vote  for  every  share  thereof,  at  each  meeting of the corporation.  A register of the stock  issued by the corporation shall be kept by  its  directors  showing  the  date  of issue, the number of shares, the par value thereof, the name of  each person to whom issued, the number of the certificates therefor; and  all transfers of such stock shall be noted and entered in such register,  and the certificates surrendered shall be deemed canceled by  the  issue  of   a  new  certificate,  and  the  surrendered  certificate  shall  be  destroyed.  Any director may become the holder  or  transferee  of  such  stock  for  his own individual use or benefit.  No such stock shall be a  lien on the lot of any individual lot owner within the cemetery  limits;  and  no other or greater liability of the corporation issuing such stock  shall be created or deemed to exist than may be necessary to enforce the  faithful application of the surplus or net receipts of  the  corporation  to  and  among  the  holders  of  the  stock  in the manner hereinbefore  specified.  A cemetery which has heretofore issued such certificates  of  stock is a membership corporation and not a stock corporation.    (d)     Retirement  of  certificates  of  stock  of  certain  cemetery  corporations.   If a cemetery  association,  incorporated  under  a  law  repealed  by  chapter  five  hundred  fifty-nine of the laws of eighteen  hundred  ninety-five  has  changed  certificates  of  indebtedness  into  certificates of stock, pursuant to chapter one hundred seven of the laws  of  eighteen  hundred  seventy-nine,  and such stock remains unimpaired,  such association may retire such stock and issue  in  exchange  thereforcertificates  of  indebtedness representing the par value of such stock,  such certificates of  indebtedness  to  bear  interest  at  a  rate  not  exceeding  six  per centum per annum from the date of the last preceding  dividend  payment;  provided,  however,  the  exchange of such stock for  certificates of indebtedness  shall  be  authorized  at  a  duly  called  meeting  of  such  association  by  the  affirmative  vote  of  at least  two-thirds  of  the  stock  issued  and  outstanding  and  of  at  least  two-thirds  of all votes cast at such meeting in favor of such exchange.  Any holder of such stock not voting in favor of  the  exchange  of  such  stock for certificates of indebtedness may at any time prior to the vote  upon  such  exchange,  or  if  notice  of  the meeting to vote upon such  exchange was not mailed to him at least twenty days prior to the  taking  of  such vote, then within twenty days after the mailing of such notice,  object to such exchange and demand payment for his stock  and  thereupon  such stockholder or the corporation shall have the right, subject to the  same   conditions  and  provisions  contained  in  section  six  hundred  twenty-three of  the  business  corporation  law,  to  have  such  stock  appraised  and paid for as provided in such section.  Such objection and  demand must  be  in  writing  and  filed  with  the  corporation.    The  provisions  of this section relating to certificates of indebtedness and  the rights of  the  holders  thereof  shall  apply  to  certificates  of  indebtedness  issued  as  provided  in this subdivision.   The stocks so  retired shall not be reissued by such association and it shall  have  no  right thereafter to issue any certificates of stock.    (e)    Purchase,  retirement  and exchange of stock.   (1)  A cemetery  corporation which has issued certificates of stock, pursuant to  chapter  one  hundred  seven  of  the  laws  of eighteen hundred seventy-nine, or  chapter  two  hundred  sixty-seven  of  the  laws  of  eighteen  hundred  ninety-four, may purchase such certificates of stock with its surplus or  reserve funds, and hold such certificates for the benefit of its surplus  or  reserve  funds,  but such certificates of stock so purchased may not  thereafter be sold or reissued.  (2)  A cemetery corporation  which  has  issued  certificates  of  stock  may  also effect the retirement of such  stock as follows:   The board of directors  of  such  corporation  shall  adopt  by  vote  of  a majority of the entire number of such directors a  plan for such retirement which shall include the fixing of a price which  the corporation will pay for all shares of stock then outstanding, which  price shall, in the opinion of such directors, represent the fair  value  of  such  stock.    The  said  plan  shall be submitted to a duly called  meeting of the members of such  corporation  and,  if  approved  by  the  affirmative  vote  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  all votes cast at such  meeting, including the affirmative vote of the holders of record  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  all  shares  of stock issued and then outstanding  exclusive of any shares of stock held by the corporation,  shall  become  binding  upon  all  stockholders, and they shall proceed to transfer and  surrender to the corporation their certificates of stock and to  receive  payment  therefor in accordance with the terms of such plan.  Any holder  of shares of such stock not voting in favor of such plan may at any time  prior to the vote approving such plan, or if notice of  the  meeting  to  vote  upon such plan was not mailed to him at least twenty days prior to  the taking of such vote, then within twenty days after  the  mailing  of  such  notice,  but in any event within ten days after the taking of such  vote, by written notice filed with such corporation, object to such plan  and demand appraisal of his shares.  Thereupon, such stockholder or  the  corporation  shall  have  the  right, subject to the same conditions and  provisions contained in section six hundred twenty-three of the business  corporation law, to have such stock appraised and paid for  as  provided  in  such  section.    (3)    A  cemetery  corporation  which  has issuedcertificates of stock may also effect the  exchange  of  such  stock  as  follows:    The  board of directors of such corporation shall adopt by a  vote of a majority of the entire number of such directors a plan for the  exchange  of  all  shares of stock then outstanding for a like number of  participating  certificates.    Such  participating  certificates  shall  entitle  the  owners  to  a specified share not exceeding, collectively,  one-half of the proceeds of sales of lots therein  or  the  use  thereof  after  first deducting from such proceeds of sale the amount required to  be deposited in the permanent maintenance fund and  current  maintenance  fund  as  provided in and pursuant to subdivision (a) of section fifteen  hundred seven of this article, together with the expenses of sale.  Such  plan shall then be submitted to the cemetery board for its approval.  In  making its determination the  cemetery  board  shall  consider  and  may  condition  its approval on the purposes of this section.  Thereafter, if  the cemetery board approves such plan, or  in  the  event  the  cemetery  board  conditioned  its  approval  and  the conditions imposed have been  accepted by a vote of a majority of the entire board of directors of the  corporation, such plan shall be submitted to a duly  called  meeting  of  the  members  of  such  corporation, and, if approved by the affirmative  vote of at least two-thirds of all votes cast at such meeting, including  the affirmative vote of the holders of record of  at  least  ninety  per  centum  of  all shares of stock issued and then outstanding exclusive of  any shares of stock held by the corporation, shall become  binding  upon  all  stockholders.   The stockholders shall then proceed to transfer and  surrender to the corporation their shares of stock  and  to  receive  in  exchange  therefor  participating  certificates  in  accordance with the  terms of such plan.  Any holder of shares of such stock  not  voting  in  favor  of  such  plan  may  at any time prior to the vote approving such  plan, or if notice of the meeting to vote upon such plan was not  mailed  to  him  at  least  twenty  days  prior to the taking of such vote, then  within twenty days after the mailing of such notice, but  in  any  event  within  ten  days after the taking of such vote, by written notice filed  with such corporation, object to such plan and demand appraisal  of  his  shares.    Thereupon, such stockholder or the corporation shall have the  right, subject to  the  same  conditions  and  provisions  contained  in  section  six  hundred  twenty-three  of the business corporation law, to  have such stock appraised and paid for  as  provided  in  such  section.  Each  such  participating  certificate issued in exchange for a share of  stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote for each  certificate  at  all  meetings  of  the  corporation.   The prices of lots or the use  thereof at the time when such exchange is made  shall  not  be  changed,  while  such  participating  certificates remain outstanding, without the  written consent of a majority in interest of the holders thereof  except  as now or hereafter authorized by law.  The shares of stock so exchanged  shall  not  be  reissued  by such corporation and it shall have no right  thereafter to issue any shares of stock.    (f)  Exchange of certificates for shares.  The directors of a cemetery  corporation, which has issued certificates for shares, from time to time  by resolution, may fix the value of each of such  shares  and  authorize  the  acceptance  by the corporation of such certificates at the value so  fixed in payment for land.    All  certificates  so  accepted  shall  be  immediately cancelled and shall not be again issued.

State Codes and Statutes

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-york > Npc > Article-15 > 1511

§ 1511. Cemetery indebtedness.    (a)   Certificates of indebtedness.  (1)  If a cemetery corporation be  indebted for lands purchased for  cemetery  purposes,  or  for  services  rendered  or  materials  furnished  in connection with the necessary and  proper preservation  or  improvement  of  its  cemetery  or  for  moneys  borrowed  exclusively  for  payment  of  such services or materials, the  directors, by the concurring vote of a majority of their  whole  number,  with the consent of the creditor to whom such indebtedness is owing, may  issue certificates under the corporate seal, signed by the president and  secretary,  for  such  amount,  payable  at the times and at the rate of  interest agreed upon but  not  to  exceed  six  per  centum  per  annum;  provided,  however, that there be first obtained from the cemetery board  an order approving the issuance of such certificates.   In the  case  of  certificates  of indebtedness issued for moneys borrowed exclusively for  payment for services rendered or materials furnished in connection  with  the necessary and proper preservation or improvement of its cemetery the  consent  of the creditor to whom such indebtedness is owing shall not be  required.  (2)  Such approval shall be given by the cemetery board  only  if  it  determines  that  the  amount of the certificates proposed to be  issued does not exceed the fair and reasonable  value  of  the  services  rendered  or  materials furnished or the purchase price of real property  as fixed in accordance  with  subdivision  (b)  of  this  section.    No  certificate  issued shall be valid or enforceable unless there has first  been issued by the  cemetery  board  an  order  of  approval  as  herein  provided.    No  certificate shall be for less than one hundred dollars.  The certificate  shall  be  transferable  by  delivery,  unless  therein  otherwise  provided.    (3)   The directors shall keep an account of the  number and amount of such certificates, the persons to whom issued,  the  date  of  maturity,  the  rate of interest and the purpose for which the  same were issued.    Each  cemetery  corporation  shall  file  with  the  cemetery  board  a  verified statement setting forth all changes in such  account during the previous calendar or fiscal year.  (4)  The directors  shall set aside from the proceeds of sales  of  lots,  plots  and  parts  thereof  such  sums  to  pay  such certificates at maturity as they deem  necessary.  Until the certificates are paid the holders thereof shall be  entitled at all meetings of the corporation, to one vote  for  each  one  hundred  dollars  of  indebtedness  remaining  unpaid, except that those  certificates of indebtedness issued for moneys borrowed exclusively  for  payment  of  services  or  materials  shall  have no voting power.   The  certificates shall not be a lien upon any  lot,  plot  or  part  thereof  belonging to a lot owner.    (b)  Application of proceeds of sales of lots.  (1)  At least one-half  of  the proceeds of sales of lots or the use thereof remaining after the  deductions for the portion thereof  required  to  be  deposited  in  the  permanent  maintenance  fund  and current maintenance fund together with  the expenses of sale shall be applied by a cemetery corporation  to  the  payment  of the purchase price of the real property acquired by it.  The  remainder of such proceeds  shall  be  applied  by  the  corporation  to  preserving,  improving  and  embellishing  the  cemetery grounds and the  avenues and roads leading thereto, and to  defraying  its  expenses  and  discharging  its liabilities.  After the payment of such purchase price,  and the expense of surveying  and  laying  out  the  cemetery,  all  the  proceeds of such sales shall be applied to the improvement, preservation  and  embellishment of the cemetery and to such expenses and liabilities.  (2)  Where a corporation has agreed with a person  from  whom  any  such  lands  were  purchased  to  pay therefor a specified share not exceeding  one-half of the proceeds of sales of lots therein or  the  use  thereof,  such  corporation  may  continue to make payments as so agreed, providedhowever that there be first deducted from said  proceeds  of  sales  the  amount  required  to  be deposited in the permanent maintenance fund and  current maintenance fund as aforesaid  together  with  the  expenses  of  sale.   The balance of such proceeds shall continue to be applied by the  corporation to the preservation, improvement and  embellishment  of  the  cemetery,  and  the  expenses and liabilities of the corporation.  Where  the corporation has heretofore agreed to pay a specified  share  of  the  proceeds  as  aforesaid  in  payment  of the purchase price of land, the  prices of lots or the use thereof in force when such purchase was  made,  shall  not  be changed, while the purchase price remains unpaid, without  the written consent of a majority in interest of the persons  from  whom  the  lands  were  purchased  or  their  legal representatives.   (3)   A  corporation which has hertofore issued certificates of land shares which  entitle the owner to a specified share in the proceeds of  the  sale  of  lots,  may  purchase such certificates with its surplus or reserve funds  and hold such certificates for the benefit of  its  surplus  or  reserve  funds, but such certificates may not thereafter be sold or reissued.    (c)      Certificates  of  stock  formerly  issued.    If  a  cemetery  corporation,  incorporated  under  a  law  repealed  by  the  membership  corporations   law,   prior   to   September   first,  eighteen  hundred  ninety-five, converted its outstanding indebtedness or  certificates  of  indebtedness  into  certificates  of  stock,  in  pursuance  of  law, no  interest shall accrue to the holders  of  such  stock,  but  they  shall  receive   annually   or  semi-annually  a  dividend  thereon  for  their  proportional  part  of  the  entire  surplus  or  net  receipts  of  the  corporation over and above current expenses; or if the proportion of the  net  receipts or surplus which stockholders shall be entitled to receive  shall have been fixed by agreement at the time of  issuing  such  stock,  such  stockholders  shall be entitled to receive dividends in accordance  with such agreement.  Such certificates of stock shall  be  transferable  only   on  the  books  of  the  corporation  on  the  surrender  of  the  certificate, unless otherwise provided on the face thereof, and on every  such surrender a new certificate of stock shall be issued to the  person  to  whom  the  same  has been transferred; and the holders of such stock  shall be entitled, in person or by proxy, to one vote  for  every  share  thereof,  at  each  meeting of the corporation.  A register of the stock  issued by the corporation shall be kept by  its  directors  showing  the  date  of issue, the number of shares, the par value thereof, the name of  each person to whom issued, the number of the certificates therefor; and  all transfers of such stock shall be noted and entered in such register,  and the certificates surrendered shall be deemed canceled by  the  issue  of   a  new  certificate,  and  the  surrendered  certificate  shall  be  destroyed.  Any director may become the holder  or  transferee  of  such  stock  for  his own individual use or benefit.  No such stock shall be a  lien on the lot of any individual lot owner within the cemetery  limits;  and  no other or greater liability of the corporation issuing such stock  shall be created or deemed to exist than may be necessary to enforce the  faithful application of the surplus or net receipts of  the  corporation  to  and  among  the  holders  of  the  stock  in the manner hereinbefore  specified.  A cemetery which has heretofore issued such certificates  of  stock is a membership corporation and not a stock corporation.    (d)     Retirement  of  certificates  of  stock  of  certain  cemetery  corporations.   If a cemetery  association,  incorporated  under  a  law  repealed  by  chapter  five  hundred  fifty-nine of the laws of eighteen  hundred  ninety-five  has  changed  certificates  of  indebtedness  into  certificates of stock, pursuant to chapter one hundred seven of the laws  of  eighteen  hundred  seventy-nine,  and such stock remains unimpaired,  such association may retire such stock and issue  in  exchange  thereforcertificates  of  indebtedness representing the par value of such stock,  such certificates of  indebtedness  to  bear  interest  at  a  rate  not  exceeding  six  per centum per annum from the date of the last preceding  dividend  payment;  provided,  however,  the  exchange of such stock for  certificates of indebtedness  shall  be  authorized  at  a  duly  called  meeting  of  such  association  by  the  affirmative  vote  of  at least  two-thirds  of  the  stock  issued  and  outstanding  and  of  at  least  two-thirds  of all votes cast at such meeting in favor of such exchange.  Any holder of such stock not voting in favor of  the  exchange  of  such  stock for certificates of indebtedness may at any time prior to the vote  upon  such  exchange,  or  if  notice  of  the meeting to vote upon such  exchange was not mailed to him at least twenty days prior to the  taking  of  such vote, then within twenty days after the mailing of such notice,  object to such exchange and demand payment for his stock  and  thereupon  such stockholder or the corporation shall have the right, subject to the  same   conditions  and  provisions  contained  in  section  six  hundred  twenty-three of  the  business  corporation  law,  to  have  such  stock  appraised  and paid for as provided in such section.  Such objection and  demand must  be  in  writing  and  filed  with  the  corporation.    The  provisions  of this section relating to certificates of indebtedness and  the rights of  the  holders  thereof  shall  apply  to  certificates  of  indebtedness  issued  as  provided  in this subdivision.   The stocks so  retired shall not be reissued by such association and it shall  have  no  right thereafter to issue any certificates of stock.    (e)    Purchase,  retirement  and exchange of stock.   (1)  A cemetery  corporation which has issued certificates of stock, pursuant to  chapter  one  hundred  seven  of  the  laws  of eighteen hundred seventy-nine, or  chapter  two  hundred  sixty-seven  of  the  laws  of  eighteen  hundred  ninety-four, may purchase such certificates of stock with its surplus or  reserve funds, and hold such certificates for the benefit of its surplus  or  reserve  funds,  but such certificates of stock so purchased may not  thereafter be sold or reissued.  (2)  A cemetery corporation  which  has  issued  certificates  of  stock  may  also effect the retirement of such  stock as follows:   The board of directors  of  such  corporation  shall  adopt  by  vote  of  a majority of the entire number of such directors a  plan for such retirement which shall include the fixing of a price which  the corporation will pay for all shares of stock then outstanding, which  price shall, in the opinion of such directors, represent the fair  value  of  such  stock.    The  said  plan  shall be submitted to a duly called  meeting of the members of such  corporation  and,  if  approved  by  the  affirmative  vote  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  all votes cast at such  meeting, including the affirmative vote of the holders of record  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  all  shares  of stock issued and then outstanding  exclusive of any shares of stock held by the corporation,  shall  become  binding  upon  all  stockholders, and they shall proceed to transfer and  surrender to the corporation their certificates of stock and to  receive  payment  therefor in accordance with the terms of such plan.  Any holder  of shares of such stock not voting in favor of such plan may at any time  prior to the vote approving such plan, or if notice of  the  meeting  to  vote  upon such plan was not mailed to him at least twenty days prior to  the taking of such vote, then within twenty days after  the  mailing  of  such  notice,  but in any event within ten days after the taking of such  vote, by written notice filed with such corporation, object to such plan  and demand appraisal of his shares.  Thereupon, such stockholder or  the  corporation  shall  have  the  right, subject to the same conditions and  provisions contained in section six hundred twenty-three of the business  corporation law, to have such stock appraised and paid for  as  provided  in  such  section.    (3)    A  cemetery  corporation  which  has issuedcertificates of stock may also effect the  exchange  of  such  stock  as  follows:    The  board of directors of such corporation shall adopt by a  vote of a majority of the entire number of such directors a plan for the  exchange  of  all  shares of stock then outstanding for a like number of  participating  certificates.    Such  participating  certificates  shall  entitle  the  owners  to  a specified share not exceeding, collectively,  one-half of the proceeds of sales of lots therein  or  the  use  thereof  after  first deducting from such proceeds of sale the amount required to  be deposited in the permanent maintenance fund and  current  maintenance  fund  as  provided in and pursuant to subdivision (a) of section fifteen  hundred seven of this article, together with the expenses of sale.  Such  plan shall then be submitted to the cemetery board for its approval.  In  making its determination the  cemetery  board  shall  consider  and  may  condition  its approval on the purposes of this section.  Thereafter, if  the cemetery board approves such plan, or  in  the  event  the  cemetery  board  conditioned  its  approval  and  the conditions imposed have been  accepted by a vote of a majority of the entire board of directors of the  corporation, such plan shall be submitted to a duly  called  meeting  of  the  members  of  such  corporation, and, if approved by the affirmative  vote of at least two-thirds of all votes cast at such meeting, including  the affirmative vote of the holders of record of  at  least  ninety  per  centum  of  all shares of stock issued and then outstanding exclusive of  any shares of stock held by the corporation, shall become  binding  upon  all  stockholders.   The stockholders shall then proceed to transfer and  surrender to the corporation their shares of stock  and  to  receive  in  exchange  therefor  participating  certificates  in  accordance with the  terms of such plan.  Any holder of shares of such stock  not  voting  in  favor  of  such  plan  may  at any time prior to the vote approving such  plan, or if notice of the meeting to vote upon such plan was not  mailed  to  him  at  least  twenty  days  prior to the taking of such vote, then  within twenty days after the mailing of such notice, but  in  any  event  within  ten  days after the taking of such vote, by written notice filed  with such corporation, object to such plan and demand appraisal  of  his  shares.    Thereupon, such stockholder or the corporation shall have the  right, subject to  the  same  conditions  and  provisions  contained  in  section  six  hundred  twenty-three  of the business corporation law, to  have such stock appraised and paid for  as  provided  in  such  section.  Each  such  participating  certificate issued in exchange for a share of  stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote for each  certificate  at  all  meetings  of  the  corporation.   The prices of lots or the use  thereof at the time when such exchange is made  shall  not  be  changed,  while  such  participating  certificates remain outstanding, without the  written consent of a majority in interest of the holders thereof  except  as now or hereafter authorized by law.  The shares of stock so exchanged  shall  not  be  reissued  by such corporation and it shall have no right  thereafter to issue any shares of stock.    (f)  Exchange of certificates for shares.  The directors of a cemetery  corporation, which has issued certificates for shares, from time to time  by resolution, may fix the value of each of such  shares  and  authorize  the  acceptance  by the corporation of such certificates at the value so  fixed in payment for land.    All  certificates  so  accepted  shall  be  immediately cancelled and shall not be again issued.