Resident urges allowance for memorial decorations as Franklin board tweaks shepherd's-hook policy

The Franklin City Park Board discussed a draft shepherd's-hook policy for the city cemetery on June 18 after the board posted the draft for public review. The policy would set maximum hook heights and maintenance rules and includes provisions for removal and temporary storage of hooks.

During public comment a resident who said her infant is buried in the cemetery told the board she decorates that grave monthly and asked whether garlands and lights could remain on hooks: “I missed the last meeting… my four-month-old is buried out there. We decorate like her hook with like garland and lights on it,” she said, adding that she regularly weeds and maintains the plot. Several other residents said they maintain decorations and worried that a strict ban would unfairly affect the few families who keep memorials up.

Parks staff and board members said the proposed height limits and other requirements were driven by crew-safety concerns, particularly mower and weed-eater operators. Staff explained that the draft measurements were chosen so hooks would not obstruct sightlines when maintenance staff are seated on equipment. Board members and staff discussed a possible storage/hold period for removed hooks and adding identification to hooks so decorations or loose items can be returned after storms.

Staff summarized requested changes, including reconsidering the numeric height caps (discussion referenced moving from the current 40–54 inch range toward allowances up to roughly 72 inches in some contexts), setting a short hold period for removed hooks (board discussed 30 days), and clarifying whether decorations are permitted if families maintain them. The draft will be revised to include identification requirements for hooks and clearer maintenance expectations. The board set a follow-up timeline: the revised draft will be re-posted for comment and the shepherd's-hook policy will be revisited at the July 16 board meeting with the intent to consider final adoption or postpone to August if further edits are needed.

The board emphasized safety and the staff intent to find a balanced solution. “We’re taking everybody’s comments into consideration and nothing is etched in stone,” a board member said. The board asked staff to produce an updated draft that clarifies height, clearance from the ground for decorations, storage/hold procedures, and outreach steps to notify families who may not visit regularly.

The board did not vote on the policy at the June 18 meeting; the next procedural step is public release of a revised draft and discussion at the July 16 meeting.