Board hears complaints about damaged headstones, removed flowers and requests to replace solar lights; staff outlines maintenance work

The Benton Harbor Cemetery Board on Oct. 14 heard multiple resident complaints about gravesite maintenance and discussed ongoing infrastructure work, including pump repairs and a scheduled bridge load test.

Board members and staff spent much of the meeting reviewing three recent family concerns: a headstone knocked off its base after mower contact, flowers that were removed under cemetery rules, and a request to replace a solar memorial light damaged during mowing. Cemetery staff said they have been in touch with the affected families and have replaced a military flag in one case.

The cemetery staff (name not specified) said the first complaint involved a headstone that was “kind of knocked it off the base a little bit.” The staff member told the board they had kept in contact with the family and that the family was “okay with that.” On the second complaint, staff described a removal of flowers that the family disputed; staff said the flowers had been removed because they had passed the cemetery’s removal dates. On the solar light, staff said, “So it was a solar light, and I'll show you these pictures,” and explained that cemetery rules have changed since the memorial was installed in 1993 and that replacing the light for one family could create expectations to do so for all families.

Board members asked whether the cemetery rules are posted and were told signs are displayed around the property, including on the pavilions, at the office and on a telephone pole by the maintenance building. A board member said she will personally ensure the family who reported the flower removal receives a copy of the rules before the next meeting.

In unfinished business, staff reported limited maintenance activity this month but said they had met with engineers working on the cemetery’s water and pumping system and hope to have pumps operating in the spring if schedules allow. The staff reported efforts this year are intended to complete preparatory work now so pumps can run next spring.

Staff also said Michigan Department of Transportation has scheduled the cemetery bridge for load testing under MDOT’s bridge-load-testing program; a date was not yet available.

Separately, the board agreed to remove the cemetery personnel agenda item until further notice.

The board did not adopt any new rules during the meeting; members emphasized they would provide families with the current rules and try to resolve individual complaints administratively.

Board members present at the meeting were Chair Frasier, Member Brown, Member Edwards, Member Smith and Member Jackson.