Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Burial topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Cemetery board backs green burials; Michigan City sustainability commission to help plan next steps
Summary
Michigan City commissioners reported a cemetery board vote in favor of green burial options and pledged to participate in a subcommittee to develop procedures and public outreach; one cemetery board member dissented and the commission will await formal procedures before public promotion.
Commissioners reported June 11 that the city cemetery board voted to allow planning to move forward for green burial sections. Lawrence Zimmer and other commissioners described a recent presentation they gave to the cemetery board; according to members who attended, the board voted in favor with a single dissent (named in the transcript as Davis Bush). The decision clears the way for a planning phase but does not yet adopt formal municipal procedures.
Zimmer said the immediate next step is that the superintendent (Jeff) will work with the cemetery board and may establish a subcommittee that includes commission members to draft procedures and determine what, if any, public information campaign is appropriate. Several commissioners stressed that the cemetery board wants to ensure administrative procedures are settled before any public outreach or promotion; commission members said they would hold off on posting brochures until the cemetery superintendent and board authorize public materials.
Commissioners and attendees praised local volunteers for their sustained work on the topic, described site visits and brochure development, and agreed to assist the superintendent in planning. The commission applauded the progress but did not adopt any regulatory change or direct the cemetery board; rather, members committed to participate in planning and outreach.
Next steps: superintendent Jeff to coordinate a subcommittee and draft procedures; commission members to support outreach materials once the cemetery board authorizes public communication.
