§ 96.14 FORFEITURE OF VACANT CEMETERY PLOTS OR BURIAL SPACES.

   Cemetery plots or burial spaces that have been sold and have remained vacant for 40 years or more from the date of their sale shall automatically revert to the town upon the occurrence of the following events:

   (A)   Notice shall be sent by the Clerk-Treasurer by first-class mail to the last known address of the last owner of record informing him/her of the expiration of the 40-year period and that all rights with respect to said plots or spaces will be forfeited if he/she does not affirmatively indicate in writing to the Town Clerk-Treasurer within 60 days from the date of mailing of such notice of his/her desire to retain such burial rights; and

   (B)   No written response to said notice indicating a desire to retain the cemetery plots or burial spaces in question is received by the Clerk-Treasurer from the last owner of record of said plots or spaces, or his/her heirs or legal representative, within 60 days from the date of mailing of said notice.

(Ord. 2023-06, passed 4-19-2023)

§ 96.15 REPURCHASES OF PLOTS OR BURIAL SPACES.

   The town may repurchase any cemetery plot from the owner for the original purchase amount upon written request of said owner or his or her legal heirs or representatives.

(Ord. 2023-06, passed 4-19-2023)

§ 96.16 RECORDS.

   The Clerk-Treasurer shall maintain records concerning all burials, cemetery plots, issuance of burial permits and any other records of the town related to the Maple Grove Cemetery, and the same shall be open to public inspection at all reasonable business hours.

(Ord. 2023-06, passed 4-19-2023)

§ 96.17 VAULTS.

   (A)   All burials shall be within a standard concrete vault (which meets all applicable laws) installed or constructed in each cemetery plot before interment.

   (B)   Cremains shall be in an urn vault.

(Ord. 2023-06, passed 4-19-2023)

§ 96.18 CEMETERY HOURS.

   Unless otherwise specified by the Town Council by resolution, Maple Grove Cemetery shall be closed from sunset to sunup. During those hours, no person shall be present in Maple Grove Cemetery. Such prohibition on being present in Maple Grove Cemetery during the time when Maple Grove Cemetery is closed shall not apply to the town, any town official, a person accompanied by the town or other town official, or any law enforcement or firefighting official when engaged in the lawful duties of any such office or position .

(Ord. 2023-06, passed 4-19-2023)

§ 96.19 PROHIBITED USES AND ACTIVITIES.

   The following prohibitions shall apply within Maple Grove Cemetery:

   (A)   No person shall destroy, deface, cut, apply graffiti to or otherwise injure any cemetery property, monument, sign, tree or plant, or any other lawful item located within Maple Grove Cemetery.

   (B)   No person shall disturb the peace or unreasonably annoy, harass or disturb any other person who is lawfully present on the grounds of any town cemetery.

   (C)   There shall be no driving of an automobile, truck or any other vehicle on lawns or cemetery plots in the cemetery. All vehicles are to only be on designated roads or drives.

   (D)   There shall be no snowmobiles, four-wheelers, go-carts or similar vehicles in the cemetery.

   (E)   All vehicles must not drive at a speed exceeding 15 mph.

   (F)   There shall be no entry or presence in the cemetery by any person when the cemetery is closed or outside of authorized times.

   (G)   There shall be no headstones, ornaments, vases, plastic flowers, fences, benches, trellises, statues, signs or any other item placed, kept, installed or maintained in a cemetery except those expressly allowed by this chapter.

   (H)   There shall be no disturbing of the peace or engaging in any loud or boisterous conduct.

   (I)   There shall be no digging, grading or mounding unless expressly authorized by this chapter.

   (J)   There shall be no gathering of persons in excess of 75 people without prior town approval (except during or incidental to a funeral occurring concurrent with burial).

   (K)   There shall be no disinterment or grave openings unless approved by the town.

   (L)   There shall be no possession or consumption of any alcoholic beverage.

   (M)   There shall be no picnicking or consumption of food without prior town approval.

   (N)   There shall be no music, playing of any radio, or the use of any amplification device or similar item, except pursuant to a military ceremony or a funeral.

   (O)   There shall be no solicitation or peddling of services or goods or any signs or placards advertising any goods or services.

   (P)   There shall be no littering or dumping.

   (Q)   There shall be no unlawful interference with or disruption of a lawful funeral or funeral procession.

   (R)   There shall be no private signs, lighting, moving displays or changeable copy on a sign.

   (S)   There shall be no fires, candles or open flames.

   (T)   No children under 12 years of age shall be allowed in any town cemetery unless accompanied by and properly supervised by an adult.

   (U)   There shall be no domestic animals of any kind or pets allowed within the cemetery grounds. However, this prohibition shall not apply to dogs assisting handicapped persons.

   (V)   No firearms or archery arrows shall be discharged or shot except that military or other veteran organizations may carry arms for the purpose of firing over the grave at the burial of a member.

   (W)   No person shall engage in any fight, quarrel or disturbance.

   (X)   Cremains or ashes of a deceased person shall not be scattered or dispersed.

   (Y)   There shall be no dumping, vandalizing or tipping over of any lawful garbage container or receptacle.

(Ord. 2023-06, passed 4-19-2023)

§ 96.20 AUTHORITY OF THE TOWN.

   (A)   The Town Council shall have all authority in regards to the Maple Grove Cemetery.

   (B)   The Town Council shall assist other town officials with the enforcement and administration of this chapter.

(Ord. 2023-06, passed 4-19-2023)