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Bluff proposes cemetery board, sexton post and fee authority for recently used plots
Summary
A draft ordinance would create a Bluff Cemetery Board and a cemetery sexton position, enable fee collection, and set operational rules for a recently used parcel that the town seeks to transfer from San Juan County. Staff said surveys and a ground-penetrating radar study are in progress before final transfers.
Town staff presented a draft cemetery ordinance that would establish a Bluff Cemetery Board, create a cemetery sexton position to manage operations, and provide the town authority to collect fees for cemetery services.
Erin Nelson said the ordinance focuses on a specific, more recently used parcel of the Bluff Cemetery located in the northwest part of the cemetery (described in the hearing as roughly 112 by 8 feet), and that the town is pursuing a survey and a ground-penetrating-radar (GPR) study to confirm boundaries and assess potential future use. Staff emphasized the draft does not apply to the historic Pioneer Cemetery or portions currently administered by San Juan County; the ordinance targets the particular parcel most commonly used by the Bluff Cemetery Board.
Staff also said San Juan County’s commission is supportive of transferring responsibility for that parcel, but that transfer requires paperwork and a completed survey.
Public comment included Josh Ewing, who identified himself as incoming mayor and thanked staff for the work. Ewing suggested the town consider an open-house format to help residents review and understand long ordinance packages. No formal action was taken; the item was presented for public comment and remains under consideration.
