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Bluff proposes cemetery board and sexton position; transfer of newer plots from county contingent on survey
Summary
A draft ordinance would create a Bluff Cemetery Board and a sexton position, allow the town to collect fees for burials, and intend to transfer management of a recently used plot from San Juan County pending survey and paperwork. Planning staff and a public commenter urged outreach and clearer detail on the survey and boundaries.
Bluff staff presented a draft cemetery ordinance Oct. 28 that would create a Bluff Cemetery Board, authorize a sexton to manage day-to-day operations, and enable the town to collect burial fees after the council adopts a revised fee schedule.
Erin Nelson said the draft is a "structural foundation" for cemetery operations and focuses on a specific area in the town's northwest cemetery: "This is a 112 by 8 foot, plot of land that has current plots that have already been sold," Nelson said. She emphasized the ordinance does not apply to the historic Pioneer Cemetery or the larger San Juan County-managed sections to the south.
Karen Nelson, the town manager, told the hearing that the San Juan County Commission supports transferring responsibility for the particular plot to the town, but the town still needs a survey (staff said they have engaged ground-penetrating radar and surveying work) and the usual paperwork to complete any transfer. Josh Ewing, who identified himself as the incoming mayor, thanked staff for the work on the draft and suggested the town host an informal public open house to help residents read and understand the lengthy ordinance package.
No one from the public spoke online. Staff said written comment is due by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7.
