Council approves change to cemetery regulations allowing certain additional memorials after committee vote

The Barre City Council on June 3 approved changes to the city’s cemetery regulations to allow additional memorial features, such as benches or tasteful monuments, within the boundaries of an owned burial lot after review and approval by the cemetery committee and staff.

Council discussion focused on whether the amendment would open a slippery slope of nonconforming objects in Hope Cemetery and other city burial grounds. Proponents said the change responds to requests from family members who want tasteful options — staff described a recent request for an angel statue that would sit wholly inside a single purchased lot — and clarified the committee and staff would retain approval authority.

Councilor Dearing raised procedural concerns about putting approval authority largely with the cemetery director and the cemetery committee, noting turnover in staff and the possibility that a committee could temporarily lack a quorum. Resident speakers, including Sue Kelly, asked for clarity on existing rules (for example, permitted granite color and the size of grass markers) and whether flat plaques for memorialization without interment remain allowed; staff confirmed flat grass markers and standard-size plaques remain permitted and said those specifics would be updated in the materials that accompany the regulation changes.

Nut graf: The ordinance change creates a pathway for families to install memorials that fit inside the lot they control, with a two-step review: cemetery staff review for technical compliance and cemetery-committee review for exceptions. Supporters said it allows tasteful, family-centered memorialization; critics urged clear written standards and robust public notice so decisions are consistent and not subject to director discretion alone.

The council debated enforcement and whether fines or rules should be tightened or relaxed. Councilors and the manager noted the committee endorsed the change by majority vote and staff had reviewed a sample proposed monument and described it as tasteful and within lot boundaries. Councilors also emphasized the regulation can be revisited if enforcement problems arise.

Ending: The council approved the regulation change by majority vote. Staff said they will update the regulation packet to correct typographical errors on the cover page and to remove an outdated staff name; they will also notify the cemetery committee and make guidance about permitted monument dimensions and materials available publicly.