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Council considers allowing PolyGuard burial vaults in newer cemetery sections, with limits in older plots
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Summary
Council members discussed a proposal to allow PolyGuard (polymer) burial vaults—cheaper and lighter than concrete—in newer cemetery sections (recommended G and H), while recommending concrete in older, tightly spaced Section A where backhoe damage and unmarked burials are a risk.
The Cleveland Town Council on Dec. 11 discussed whether to revise cemetery policy to allow PolyGuard burial vaults in portions of the municipal cemetery.
Speaker 5 presented PolyGuard as a lighter alternative to concrete: "it's a lot cheaper...it's $500 cheaper" and staff noted the product can be stronger in some impacts and reduces the need for cement trucks on grass. Grounds and operations concerns were raised by Speaker 2 and others: older sections are tightly spaced, unmarked burials may exist, and backhoe digging near adjacent graves could crack lightweight vaults. Council members suggested limiting PolyGuard availability to surveyed newer sections (Speakers recommended sections G and H) and drafting a policy that either offers PolyGuard as an option in certain sections or prescribes concrete in older sections.
Council members asked that grounds staff (noted in discussion as Benny) review cemetery maps and identify rows or sections where PolyGuard would be inappropriate. Speakers discussed adding liability language to the policy to avoid holding staff or volunteers responsible for accidental damage. The council agreed to prepare a draft policy and revisit it at a future meeting; no formal ordinance or vote to change the policy was recorded at this meeting.