Syracuse council to replace cemetery code after monuments damaged; draft ordinance set for April 8 vote

Syracuse City Council on Monday reviewed a proposed repeal and reenactment of cemetery regulations in Syracuse Municipal Code Title 4, Chapter 30 and agreed to place the ordinance on the April 8 meeting for a final vote.

The measure would replace the current ordinance in full, transfer appointment authority for the cemetery sexton from the council to the parks director, and bring the city’s unused-plot procedures into alignment with state statute that requires best-effort notice to heirs and a 50-day response window. The draft also sets a defined season for monument work, authorizes the sexton to adopt operational rules that do not conflict with the ordinance, prohibits driving across unprotected turf or monuments, raises the maximum fine “not to exceed $500,” and directs the city to charge the responsible party for repair costs.

Paula, a parks staff member who presented the draft, said the work began as a limited update and "in fact... grew and grew and grew and grew," and described several new provisions intended to give cemetery staff clearer enforcement authority and operational flexibility. She told the council the rewrite would allow the city to return roughly 66 unused lots to inventory by following the simpler state-process for heir notification.

Resident Jeff Wilcox, who spoke during public comment about damage to grave markers, said the cemetery is "sacred ground" for families and urged stricter consequences for contractors who cause damage. The ordinance draft includes a requirement that contractors provide dates and time windows for work, limits permits to a single day with a 24-hour re‑permit requirement if the job is not finished, and proposes adopting a best practice that companies document before-and-after photos of work areas.

Council discussion focused on enforceability and on ensuring the city can promptly repair damage and recoup costs. Councilmembers asked staff to limit permitted work to daylight hours and to tighten permit windows so staff can observe work when needed. The draft also contemplates a standard contract or agreement the city would require monument companies, mortuaries and other contractors to sign before being allowed to work in city cemeteries.

City staff said the ordinance rewrite is one step in a three-step response; subsequent steps will include fee-schedule revisions to cover repair and staff time and a contractor agreement to be adopted by July 1. The council did not vote on substantive language at the meeting but directed staff to bring the ordinance forward for action on April 8.

Proponents and opponents

Paula framed the rewrite as necessary because the existing code lacked “teeth” to hold contractors and vendors accountable. In public comment, Wilcox and other residents described the headstone damage as distressing and urged robust penalties and billing to deter repeat incidents.

What’s next

The council scheduled the ordinance for consideration and formal action at its April 8 meeting. Staff said fees and a contractor agreement will follow so the city can both repair damage quickly and seek reimbursement from responsible parties.