Regulations governing the operation of the Village Cemetery shall be as follows:
(A) Cemetery shall be closed from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
(B) Picnic parties and refreshments will not be allowed in the cemetery. The consumption of alcohol in the cemetery is prohibited.
(C) Military funerals held in the cemetery are authorized to use firearms.
(D) Automobiles must follow directional signs.
(E) The gates may be open or closed at the discretion of the village.
(F) Except as specifically provided in division (K) below, all mowing and trimming of grass, trees, and shrubs will be performed by the village.
(G) Base stones must be square on the side in contact with the foundation. The foundation must be four inches longer and four inches wider than the stone to be set thereon, and must be level with surrounding grade and extend not less than 35 inches below grade. An eight-inch diameter pier footing may be used for head and foot stones not larger than 16 inches by 12 inches. Pier will have foundation cap not less than six-inch thickness. Pier and foundation cap to be connected by two 3/8- inch reinforcing bars. The foundation for monuments greater than four feet above grade require prior village approval.
(H) No mounds shall be raised above the general level of the lot. The village receives the right to remove at any time any unsightly mounds and to reseed the grave at the general level of lot.
(I) Vehicles causing damage to the roadway or any portion of the cemetery, shall not be permitted. persons causing damage shall be responsible.
(J) The village, or its officials, employees and agents, shall not be responsible for loss of or damage to any headstone, marker, bench, rock garden or other property in the cemetery, caused by vandalism, theft or other acts outside the control of the village. Nor are they responsible for any loss or damage caused by the removal of any item as authorized by these regulations.
(K) Restrictions on placing certain items in cemetery.
(1) Boxes, shells, toys, metal designs, frames, ornaments, chairs, settees, wood and iron cases, and glass items (“prohibited items”) shall not be placed or left upon lots or elsewhere in the cemetery. Prohibited items are subject to removal by the village without notice.
(2) Items other than prohibited items may placed on new gravesites for a period of 21 days after burial, after which they are subject to removal by the village without notice.
(3) Items other than prohibited articles may be placed on and may be affixed to gravestones. Items placed on gravestones but not affixed may be placed for a period of ten days, after which they are subject to removal by the village without notice. Items affixed to gravestones which, in the judgment of the Public Works Director are unsightly, dangerous, or interfere with maintenance to the cemetery grounds, are subject to removal by the village without notice.
(4) Floral designs, flowers, plants other than trees and shrubs, and ground cover are permitted in the cemetery. However, any such items are subject to removal by the village, which in the judgment of the Public Works Director, are unsightly, dangerous, detrimental, or diseased, or which interfere with maintenance of the cemetery grounds.
(5) All flower baskets suspended on shepherd hooks or monument brackets hangers may remain throughout the year. Hooks and hangers must be placed for accessibility of maintenance.
(6) No new trees or shrubs shall be permitted in the cemetery except those installed by the village in its sole discretion.
(7) Benches may be placed in the cemetery subject to the following regulations, which shall be acknowledged by the lot owner in writing before a bench is placed:
(a) Benches shall be constructed of granite or concrete and shall be sufficiently heavy so as not to be dislodged by wind.
(b) Benches shall be no more than 48 inches in length.
(c) Benches shall be placed within the confines of a lot or group of lots owned or controlled by the person or family installing the bench.
(d) Benches shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition, and the person or family installing the bench shall be responsible for mowing and trimming within two feet of the bench in all directions.
(e) Benches shall remain the property of the cemetery lot owner, but may be used by any visitor to the cemetery.
(f) Benches not placed or maintained in conformance with these regulations may be removed seven days after notice from the village to the lot owner at the lot owner’s last known address. A bench that has been removed may be retrieved by the owner within 14 days after its removal, after which it may be disposed of by the village without further notice.
(g) Benches in the cemetery as of February 14, 2012 that do not conform to the provisions of this division (K)(7) shall be removed or brought into conformance on or before September 1, 2012. The village shall use reasonable efforts to notify the owners of nonconforming benches of this requirement.
(8) Rock gardens may be installed in the cemetery subject to the following regulations, which shall be acknowledged by the lot owner in writing before the rock garden is installed:
(a) Rock gardens shall contain rock and may contain two other items which, in the judgment of the Public Works Director, are not unsightly or dangerous, and do not interfere with maintenance to the cemetery grounds.
(b) Rock gardens shall be contained by landscape edging with a minimum height of three inches above the ground.
(c) Rock gardens shall be placed within the confines of a lot or group of lots owned or controlled by the person or family creating the rock garden.
(d) Rock gardens shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition, and the person or family creating the rock garden shall be responsible for mowing and trimming within two feet of the rock garden in all directions.
(e) Rock gardens not placed or maintained in conformance with the provisions of these regulations may be removed seven days after notice from the village to the lot owner at the lot owner’s last known address.
(L) These regulations shall be prominently displayed in the cemetery and on the website of the village. An undated copy of these regulations shall be given to all local funeral homes and monument services.
(M) Persons purchasing a cemetery deed or requesting a burial permit shall sign an acknowledgment of receipt of the cemetery regulations and shall provide the village with an address for notices, which the purchaser or applicant may change from time to time. However, the failure of the village to provide a copy of these regulations shall not excuse any violation of these regulations.
(Ord. 93-58, passed 12-14-93; Am. Ord. 12-03, passed 2-14-12)