Denison cemetery board promotes manager, plans January sweep and celebrates fence, wreath efforts

Denison — The Denison Cemetery Advisory Board on Nov. 18 received staffing and operations updates, approved routine governance items and reviewed plans to begin a cemetery compliance sweep in mid-January at Fairview Cemetery.

Cemetery staff said Victor Reccano has been reclassified from cemetery foreman to cemetery manager after FY26 budget amendments approved by the City Council. Victor, who identified himself at the meeting as cemetery manager, said the change puts day-to-day cemetery decision-making directly under his role and that he reports to the department director. Administrative work remains with Sherry, who staff said handles lot inventory and records in the cemetery software system (Semsites).

The sweep: outreach first

Reccano told the board staff began placing red compliance flags in November to notify plot owners of items that do not conform to the city cemetery ordinances and that the formal clean-sweep enforcement will begin in mid-January, starting at Fairview because its lot data is integrated into the cemetery software. He said staff are making many contacts, logging work orders, taking photographs, and handling corrections case-by-case with sensitivity. "We're bringing awareness, we're giving people information they may have missed while mourning, and we're trying to educate," Reccano said.

Reccano described common violations as loose fake flowers or small decorations pushed into the ground that interfere with groundskeeping; florist vases or spike-style small florist containers placed at the monument base are allowed when used and removed appropriately, he said. He also said cemetery records show about 14,900 interments and that the field crew currently has three employees, which staff cited as a factor in scheduling and logistics for the sweep.

Fences, gates and access

Board members heard that fence and gate projects at Fairview and Magnolia are essentially complete and have passed mechanical/plumbing inspections; final IT work (fiber and card-access setup) remains. Once IT finishes, staff will use card swipes for entry; the plan is to have the main gate open from dawn to dusk and other gates closed during that time. Staff said Magnolia’s gate will remain open at all times.

Wreaths and community support

During public comment, resident Kurt Chokowski praised cemetery staff for work on a historic-marker unveiling at Iron Ore Cemetery and asked the board to consider covering columbarium provisions in the ordinance. He asked about disposing wreaths placed during Wreaths Across America events; staff said American Legion Post 62 coordinates wreath placement at Fairview and that details can be clarified with the post and volunteers. Reccano said a staff member located additional veterans in records, increasing wreath placement from about 400 historically to 2,200 this December.

Board business and budget

The board approved the minutes of the Aug. 26 meeting, reappointed its chair and vice chair for one-year terms and adopted the later-in-month meeting schedule (option B) for 2026. Staff said a 2026 funding request for cemetery operations and road repairs was submitted but did not receive approval in the current budget cycle; staff described ongoing advocacy with council and said they will continue to pursue creative funding options. Staff also confirmed that recent paving work on Pearline was funded through city capital funds with public works providing labor.

Numbers and donations

Board members and speakers thanked citizen donors and volunteers for raising money for projects. One attendee said an individual donated $25,000; another speaker offered a recollection that community fundraising approached a large cumulative total (a speaker characterized that figure as a recollection rather than a precise accounting). Staff attributed funds raised to community donors while the city completed permitting and provided labor and material payments on capital items.

What’s next

Staff will finalize ordinance change templates for the advisory board to review, continue outreach about the January sweep and complete IT hookups for gate access. The meeting adjourned after members’ closing questions and thanks to staff.