Trenton council hears complaints about cemetery upkeep; places rates on next agenda

Unidentified Speaker 5 said residents have called about unfilled graves and overgrown grass at the town cemetery and reported that "Kyle told me that they're just letting it settle, and then his plan is to put sod next week." Council members said they have received multiple complaints and discussed short-term fixes and rule enforcement.

Speaker 4 told the meeting the town has fielded repeated calls about dandelions and items left around headstones and proposed sending a letter to residents that explains existing cemetery rules and procedures for removing items that impede maintenance. "We need to take a hard stand on that, get it so that we can care for the cemetery," Speaker 4 said.

The council discussed who is responsible for loose or damaged headstones. Speakers said the person or family who purchased and placed a headstone is generally responsible for its repair; the town may offer to perform repairs and bill families if they request it.

Council members asked staff to obtain bids for weed control, window and mortar repairs near town hall (which staff linked to wasp and building maintenance concerns), and to follow up next month with an implementation plan for sodding, weed treatment and a program for notifying families about damaged headstones. Speaker 2 said the item on cemetery fees — a resident rate and an out-of-town rate discussed during the meeting — will be placed on the next agenda for formal consideration.

The meeting record shows public concern over cemetery appearance and repeated requests for clearer communication from the town about maintenance timing and responsibilities. No formal ordinance or fee change was adopted at this meeting; the council agreed to return the item to a future agenda.