WOBURN - With burial plots at Woodbrook Cemetery becoming scarce, the city's Cemetery Commission is looking toward expansion or alternate locations, Chairman Edmund McGrath told the City Council's Finance Committee at a recent meeting.

McGrath told the FinCom there are "not many" grave sites left at Woodbrook, and the space issue must be addressed "one of these days."

Most of the remaining land at Woodbrook is ledge, which usually requires blasting. Other open tracts of land in the city that could be converted to cemetery space are dwindling, and, like other classifications of real estate, are increasingly expensive.

McGrath made an appearance at the FinCom meeting to review the commission's fiscal year 2008 budget, which was submitted by Mayor Thomas McLaughlin at $388,275, an increase of about $800 from this year.

All but $10,000 - which is used for Memorial Day ceremonies - is for salaries for the eight employees and five Cemetery Commissioners, who earn a $2,000 annual stipend. The commission otherwise subsists on interest income from its burial accounts.

"Eight thousand, nine hundred dollars a month," said McGrath. "That's what we live on."

McGrath noted the interest on Cemetery Commission's account "is a bit higher than in years past."

Council on Aging - Woburn Senior Center Director Joanne Collins said it was a "very good year" for her organization, that included the introduction of "a lot of new programs."

Senior Center regulars are particularly pleased with the taxi program, said Collins, who added she hoped the program will continue.

The Council on Aging's budget is about $2,300, due to some slight changes in the various salaries.

"You probably do more with less than anyone else in the city," said Ward 4 Alderman James Dwyer.

Responding to a question from Alderman at-large Joanna Gonsalves, Collins said the center is fully handicapped-accessible, due partly to some enhancements that took place when the Woburn Public Media Center was located there.

Ward 6 Alderman John Ciriello noted the contribution of a defibrillator to the center by local businessman Peter Lennon.

Planning Board - Planning Director Edmund Tarallo said his proposed FY'08 budget of $175,772 is "basically unchanged," with the notable exception of the return of the salary item for the grant writer's position.

The position, which is now part-time and earns a salary of $25,000, was filled recently by Joseph Garbino. It has been vacant for nearly two years, and in its previous incarnation was included in the Planning Board's budget.

Tarallo said Mayor McLaughlin will likely submit an ordinance change to the council that will bring the grant writer under the jurisdiction of the mayor's office.