Cemetery board pauses permanent sign and tightens rules pending historic review; sets online application workflow and 24-hour response target

The Fairfield Cemetery Board on June 3 agreed to delay installation of a permanent brass sign and final decoration rules until the town consults with the State Historic Preservation Office. Board members said the preservation review will determine what is allowable in the cemetery’s pioneer-era sections — a point raised during a public comment about removed decorations.

A resident who addressed the board said that items placed at a grave — artificial grass, solar lights and other decorations — had been removed without notice. "When they sent the text, they said they were just gonna pick up the flowers. They didn't say anything about picking up the artificial grass ... I never got a notification of that, and then it was taken up," the resident said.

Board members responded that the cemetery is undergoing a review for possible historic designation and that the review will drive what decorations will be allowed. "We are working with the state historical preservation," a board member said. The board said it will provide guidance to families after the Historic Preservation Office finishes its recommendations and that, until then, many decorations remain prohibited.

Website application and response workflow

The board also reviewed the town’s online internment application and the process for scheduling burials. Staff demonstrated the online form and explained that applicants will fill an internment application online; that application will notify three town staff members (Holly, Stephanie and one other staff member), and staff agreed to a 24-hour target to respond to applications. One board member said, "Between the three of us, it will be caught. Are you good with 24 hours?" Board members agreed.

Staff and board members emphasized that fees must be paid before a burial is scheduled. The board asked staff to ensure the online process links to the Town fee schedule and to test the entire workflow before enabling public purchases. A staff member said, "We can't complete this all the way until the ordinances are officially passed, and then we can put in pricing and make sure that everything works."

Residency and proof

Board members discussed restricting initial plot sales to residents for a limited period and creating a mechanism to require proof or a short explanation for one-time nonresident purchases. The board agreed to keep the ‘‘resident’’ option active while the ‘‘one-time nonresident’’ option will be turned off until rules and verification are in place.

Historic preservation, mapping and headstone work

The board reported a recent walkthrough with a historical preservation specialist who urged the town to seek listing on the historic register and to document headstones. The specialist recommended photographing each headstone from multiple sides and documenting plot locations; the board said it has secured mayoral approval for seasonal student help to photograph stones and will begin fieldwork after August. The board also discussed placing gravel pads beneath some headstones to stabilize newer markers and organizing volunteer workdays to lift and level stones.

Cleanup and signage

Board members agreed to keep temporary rule signs in place and to attach them to fencing if necessary while they finalize permanent signage. They also recommended that the town handling of removals and larger cleanup be coordinated through the mayor’s office; the board said volunteers and landscape contractors can support an annual cleanup after Memorial Day.

Next steps include finalizing the ordinance at Town Council, completing website testing with pricing, publishing the fee schedule link on the application, and completing the Historic Preservation Office review before new decoration rules or permanent signage are posted to the public.