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Cemetery Board urges parents to stop playground activity; Select Board backs restriction
Summary
Cemetery Board members reported repeated incidents of children from the Game of Village playing in the cemetery, prompting the Select Board to affirm the cemetery is not an appropriate playground and to encourage use of the ballfield instead.
Members of the Nelson Cemetery Board told the Select Board July 29 that children from the Game of Village have repeatedly been observed running, throwing objects and balancing on fragile stone walls in the town cemetery. Elaine Giacomo said maintenance staff nearly struck a child while mowing and that several headstones — some dating back about 200 years — are extremely fragile and at risk of damage.
"The cemetery is a place of final rest and those who visit should be respectful," Giacomo told the Selectmen. She said the Cemetery Board had previously asked the group to stop using the cemetery for play and that the request had been ignored. The board members reported being treated rudely by a parent when they raised the issue.
Amy Shuffelton, identified in the meeting as a representative for the Game of Village, defended the group's behavior and said she instructs children not to touch headstones. Select Board Chair Brenna Kucinski responded that "the Cemetery is not an appropriate playground" and pointed out that the ballfield — with shaded dugouts and porta‑potties — is available for play. The Select Board and attendees agreed the cemetery should not be used for play and the meeting record shows no further enforcement action taken at that meeting.
