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Skowhegan committee reports $40,000 in damage after Southside Cemetery vandalism, plans repairs and recognition
Summary
Committee members reported vandalism at Southside Cemetery on April 23 that damaged an estimated 47 headstones (about $40,000). The committee approved small maintenance purchases, aims to finish repairs before Memorial Day and will ask the Selectboard to recognize volunteer and staff responders.
The Town of Skowhegan Cemetery Committee on April 30 discussed a vandalism incident at Southside Cemetery and approved immediate steps to repair damage and recognize volunteers.
Melvin Burnham told the committee that Southside Cemetery was vandalized on the night of April 23 and that the damage affects roughly 47 stones, with an estimated cost "about $40,000." Committee members said the fire department has been helping to set upright damaged stones and that the Daughters of the American Revolution assessed the site and requested $600 in supplies to assist repairs.
The committee recorded that Cemetery Capital Reserve or the Cemetery Maintenance designation funds would be used for repairs; the Selectboard had previously approved a related request on April 28. The group set a goal of completing repairs before Memorial Day and asked Gene Rouse to prepare a recognition for town staff and volunteers who responded; Rouse will present that recognition to the Selectboard on May 12.
Separately, the committee voted to fund repair hardware for stones: it approved a request for $600 to purchase 10 sets of stone braces from Atlas Preservation (approximately $50 per set). That motion passed with the recorded vote of yes 6, no 0, abstained 1.
The committee also approved smaller related maintenance purchases—new cemetery flags and signage—which the committee said will support long-term upkeep while repairs proceed.
