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Bluff proposes cemetery board and sexton position as town prepares to assume newer burial plots
Summary
A draft ordinance would create a Bluff Cemetery Board, a sexton position to operate the cemetery, and permit the town to collect fees and pursue transfer of a recently used plot now managed by San Juan County; staff said surveys and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) are underway to confirm boundaries and potential expansion.
Bluff staff presented a draft cemetery ordinance on Oct. 28 that would create a town-appointed Bluff Cemetery Board and a sexton role to oversee operations, set procedures and enable fee collection.
Staff said the ordinance is intended to establish operational structure and authority for a section of the Bluff Cemetery in the towns northwestern area (described in the hearing as a roughly "112 by 8 foot" more recent burial area). The town intends to pursue transfer of records and responsibilities from San Juan County for that parcel, but staff emphasized the draft does not address the historic Pioneer Cemetery or areas currently under county jurisdiction to the south.
Officials said the town is conducting surveying and ground-penetrating-radar (GPR) work to determine whether the cemetery could extend westward and to clarify exact boundaries before finalizing transfers or fee schedules. Staff noted the ordinance would create the legal foundation for daily operations and that a separate update to the town fee schedule would be needed to collect charges formally.
Public comment included Joshua Ewing (identified in comments as the incoming mayor), who thanked staff and recommended a public open-house format so residents could more easily review lengthy draft ordinances and ask questions.
Staff left the draft open for written comment through Nov. 7 at 5 p.m.
