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Meadow council to revisit cemetery ordinance after residents raise trash, monument and maintenance concerns
Summary
Council members discussed removing and replacing trash cans, rules on placing monuments before plots are occupied, and small equipment purchases for cemetery and park maintenance; staff proposed reopening the ordinance and scheduling a public hearing this summer.
An unnamed town official opened discussion at a Meadow Town Council meeting about recurring maintenance and policy questions at Meadow Cemetery, pressing the council to consider amending the town ordinance that governs trash receptacles and monument placement.
The council discussed several practical maintenance issues raised by residents, including household garbage being left in cemetery trash cans and whether families may place monuments on plots before a burial occurs. The official said trash cans had been installed in the past but later removed because people were dumping household garbage; he described hauling away trash from the site after Memorial Day.
The discussion turned to monuments. One resident asked whether people may place monuments on plots while still living; the official and other participants said the ordinance currently restricts placement in ways that have created conflicts when graves later must be opened and monuments moved. A resident noted that bonded, insured contractors are available to move monuments when required and that having a monument in place before burial could double moving costs.
Council members agreed there appears to be flexibility to address individual requests but that consistent guidance is needed. The official said he would “look at that piece of the ordinance and open it up” and asked staff (Jim) to help draft proposed language to include in the town letter and, if needed, bring changes to a public hearing later this summer.
On maintenance, the council praised work by George Stewart; an unnamed speaker said, “George Stewart did a phenomenal job there.” The council approved purchases to support upkeep: a pull-behind spreader and a backpack blower for cemetery and park maintenance. A question arose whether the spreader should be charged to the cemetery budget or shared with park funds; the council directed that those purchases come from the cemetery fund.
Speakers emphasized practical fixes for small erosion or settled spots alongside streets where Centricom had done work; staff offered to use available stockpiled filtered dirt to fill low spots and to call for help from the tractor operator as needed.
The council did not make formal ordinance changes at the meeting but agreed to draft proposed ordinance language, include a public notice in the town letter, and schedule a public hearing this summer to consider any ordinance amendments and associated fee adjustments.
The council also flagged operational details to keep mowing and upkeep manageable if monuments are placed before burial, and asked staff to clarify administrative procedures for handling requests.
The council scheduled follow-up work: staff will draft ordinance language, assemble proposed fee changes, and bring a public hearing date for council approval.
