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Cemetery trustee candidates raise concerns about missing headstones and recordkeeping
Summary
Several candidates for cemetery trustee said they found inconsistencies in town burial records and reported missing or moved headstones; candidates called for transparency and updated documentation.
Cemetery trustee candidates told the forum they had found problems in the town’s cemetery records and want greater transparency in how records and maintenance are handled.
Cassandra Johnson, running for trustee of the trust fund and cemetery trustee, said she had “pulled old records that are wrong” and reported cemeteries and headstones that “are not being documented that should be.” She said that concern over missing or moved headstones motivated her candidacy: “There’s cemeteries that are being moved. There’s headstones moved.”
Crystal Eldridge, who said she has served as a cemetery trustee and on related commissions, described recent efforts to improve recordkeeping and maintenance. Eldridge said trustees have updated maps, created informational packets and supervised maintenance work; she said the trustees oversee dozens of burial grounds and had pursued “significant improvements over the past years.” Eldridge also mentioned interest in green burials as an environmentally friendlier option.
Why it matters: Accurate cemetery records and consistent maintenance affect families seeking burial information, property records and historic preservation. Candidates’ statements suggest residents should review trustee reports and ask trustees for documentation and maps if concerns remain.
What remains unclear: Candidates described problems with records but did not produce specific cemetery names or a completed inventory during the forum; trustees and staff records should be consulted for verification.
