Resident offers volunteer restoration project; committee asks for clarification before authorization

The Cemetery Committee reviewed an email from resident Bridgette Quire proposing a volunteer-led cleanup and restoration project at the Town of Cedar Fort Cemetery. The proposal, as summarized in the minutes, referenced overgrown vegetation, debris removal, weathered headstones, waste disposal, requests for permission to perform basic maintenance, adding missing names and dates to headstones, and the potential to plant trees or bushes. The sender indicated that local church youth groups and neighborhood volunteers could participate.

The Town responded by inviting Quire and her volunteers to take part in the Committee's already-planned Oct. 7 cleanup and by asking her to attend the meeting; she was not present. Committee members said they were uncertain which portion of the cemetery the proposal covered and whether the sender understood the cemetery's maintenance responsibilities. "The Committee agreed additional clarification from the sender would be helpful before considering the requests contained in the proposal," the minutes state.

Committee members also cautioned that planting additional vegetation may be inappropriate because of added maintenance responsibilities, and that the Town is not necessarily responsible for upkeep of individual burial plots. They discussed following up with Quire by email or telephone to get clarifying details before taking any formal action.