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Fern Hill Cemetery seeks city support and a water reconnection after vandalism
Summary
Penny Hamilton, representing Fern Hill Cemetery, asked the council to provide a letter of support for a preservation program and to explore reconnecting a water line; staff agreed to draft a letter and to investigate the connection.
Penny Colleen Elizabeth Hamilton Mall (Penny Hamilton), speaking for Fern Hill Cemetery, asked the council on Jan. 27 for a letter of support and for staff help reconnecting a water supply to the privately managed cemetery adjacent to Bishop Road and I‑5.
Hamilton said vandals had recently desecrated graves, prompting the cemetery trustees to lock the gate for protection. She told councilors Fern Hill contains historic graves — including early local families and founders — and described a planned outreach by Atlas Preservation, a Connecticut‑based organization that teaches cemetery monument repair and conservation. Hamilton said a local contractor (named in the meeting) had offered to perform the water‑line work at no charge if the city could restore a connection.
City staff said they would prepare a letter for the council’s signature and would evaluate the water‑connection request (staff member Stacy was identified as the contact for follow up). Council agreed to have staff draft and circulate the support letter and confirm the water‑connection status and any work needed to restore service.
Why it matters: Fern Hill is a small, historic burial ground in Chehalis that trustees say has been repeatedly vandalized; a reinstated water connection would support maintenance and volunteer restoration work and an encouraging letter could secure Atlas Preservation’s assistance.
