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Dorchester County burial board adopts mission to identify, document, preserve and protect burial sites
Summary
The Dorchester County Burial Site Preservation Board finalized and voted to adopt a concise mission statement directing the board to "identify and document, preserve, and protect" historic and active burial grounds. The board will circulate the text to members and post it with meeting minutes.
The Dorchester County Burial Site Preservation Board on Oct. 20 approved a mission statement aimed at guiding its work to find, record and protect burial grounds across the county. Kelly, Dorchester County staff who prepared meeting materials, read the final draft aloud: “Dorchester County Burial Site Preservation Board seeks to identify and document, preserve, and protect all historic and active burial grounds and cemeteries. We respectfully celebrate the legacy of those interred therein through stewardship, community engagement, education, and conservation.”
Board members said the short, action‑based wording reflects the board's initial priorities: locating previously unknown sites, creating a reliable inventory, and working with landowners and county departments to protect known burial areas. Members debated whether the statement should include separate "vision" language, and whether to use "identify" or "document." They agreed that "identify and document" captures the two distinct tasks of discovery and cataloging.
The statement was put to a motion and seconded; the chair called the question and members present voted in favor, and the motion carried. Kelly said she will circulate the final text by email and include it in the minutes from the session.
During discussion members emphasized that the mission statement is not a legal ordinance but a guiding statement for the board's work and can be revised by the group. They also said they expect the mission to appear in materials prepared for the county council when the board reports on its progress in February.
Board members repeatedly said they want the mission to steer near-term tasks such as building an inventory, clarifying reporting procedures for suspected site disturbances, and planning public outreach and education. Members also noted that the board's authority to compel compliance or to seek fines rests with county offices and the state's attorney, and that the mission primarily frames the board's advisory and documentation role.
The board did not assign new staff positions or funding at the meeting; members said those operational details and possible working documents will be developed and presented to the county council as the board's next steps.
