Suamico board adopts new cemetery code after review of plot inventory and mapping

The Suamico Village Board on March 3 unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-1, creating Chapter 14 of the Suamico municipal code to regulate the village cemetery.

Cemetery Director Rodden told the board staff have completed a near-comprehensive GIS map of the cemetery and consolidated records into a spreadsheet to make plots easier to locate. Rodden said the village sold 24 plots in 2024 for $10,175 and has sold two plots so far in 2025 under a new fee schedule for $1,200 total. He said staff estimate about 158 plots remain available but cautioned that figure is approximate where old records and headstones do not clearly match plots.

Rodden described 128 “conflicted” lots—locations where trees or turnaround areas limit full-body burials—and staff are considering selling some of those spaces for cremains at reduced price. He also outlined a plan for QR-code access so visitors can pull up the cemetery map and locate loved ones. Rodden said the village conducted its first winter burial recently after acquiring equipment that uses a portable propane heater to thaw frost and allow in-house digging, which he said will reduce outsourcing costs.

Trustees raised a question about headstone and flat-marker language in the ordinance; Rodden said the committee has not finalized changes and the board can amend wording later if needed. After discussion, Trustee Andrews moved to approve the ordinance as proposed and the board approved the measure on a roll-call vote 7–0.

The ordinance establishes the cemetery chapter in the municipal code; officials said staff will continue refining mapping, ownership records and options for a cremation garden and bring implementation details back to the board as needed.