Council approves broad changes to cemetery rules, raises lot fees

The Verona Common Council approved a package of ordinances and fee-schedule changes that substantially rewrite city cemetery rules, update who may disturb or manage lots, allow pets with limits, clarify vehicle and marker rules, and raise city cemetery lot fees.

The council voted to approve four ordinances recommended unanimously by the city cemetery board that together revise regulations affecting private and city-owned cemeteries. Alder Tucker Long said the ordinances remove a prohibition on pets in cemetery grounds, clarify that leash and other city animal rules apply, and standardize references to related city ordinances for easier future updates.

Why it matters: The package changes long-standing prohibitions and administrative procedures for Verona’s cemeteries, affects owners’ responsibilities and fees, and brings local rules into alignment with Wisconsin state statutes that govern sale and repossession of lots and reburials.

Key provisions approved: The council passed ordinance number 25-1070 (amending Title 7, Chapter 1, Section 8) to remove the blanket prohibition on dogs, cats and other pets on cemetery grounds; 25-1071 (amending Title 11, Chapter 3, Section 5) to clarify who may disturb cemetery property, restrict motor vehicles to designated roads and parking areas, allow towing for unlawful parking, require pets to be leashed or in a closed carrier, restrict use of sound devices without the cemetery owner’s written consent, and bar unauthorized advertising; and 25-1075 (amending Title 12, Chapter 2) specifically governing city-owned cemeteries to update terms, define roles (sexton, relative, reburial, outer burial container), and align repossession and reburial processes with Wisconsin state statutes.

The council also approved ordinance 25-1074 (Title 2, Chapter 4, Section 13) to formalize cemetery-board reporting lines and to name the public-works, water and sewer committee chair as the cemetery-board chair. Alder Tucker Long said the changes will make annual reporting to the council more flexible and consistent with current practice.

Fee changes: The council approved updates to the city fee schedule for cemetery services. The fee for residential lots will increase from $800 to $1,100; nonresidential lot fees will increase from $800 to $1,400; and a single staking fee for burials or monuments will be set at $100 (previous staking fees varied). Alder Tucker Long told the council the increases were based on a review of comparable municipal and private cemetery pricing and that Verona’s fees had not been updated in many years.

Other substantive changes: The ordinances clarify that foundations for markers must be appropriate to marker style (to preserve historic monuments), allow structures, fences and wreaths with written approval of the cemetery board or sexton (previously all items were prohibited), permit a deposit prior to burial to ensure timely placement of proper markers, and allow the cemetery to place or replace markers and assess surviving owners for costs in limited circumstances. Construction of vaults and mausoleums remains prohibited except by explicit city council approval on the cemetery board’s recommendation.

Alder Weiss asked whether any of the proposed changes were controversial; Tucker Long replied that allowing flowers and wreaths generated the most debate while the cemetery board worked through the amendments. The cemetery board recommended all changes unanimously, and the council approved each ordinance by voice vote.