A. Monuments And Markers:
1. The placement of memorials is done so at a purchaser's own risk, shall be accomplished under the direction of the Sexton, and shall comply with all requirements herein enumerated. The Town assumes no obligation or responsibility to repair or replace markers or monuments damaged by an owner or third party, or damaged as a result of a failure to comply with the directions of the Sexton, or failure to comply with the following regulations:
a. No memorial shall be placed in the cemetery without first receiving a written permit from the Town Clerk approving the size and type of monument desired (see appendix B attached to the ordinance codified herein). The said permit will be reviewed and signed by the Sexton or other Town representative upon his/her approval. The Sexton will mark out the appropriate area within the tribute area of the grave before memorial placement is allowed. Purchasers of memorials are encouraged to consult with the Sexton prior to making their memorial purchase to ensure it concurs with cemetery requirements.
b. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect or place any monument or marker on any lot in the cemetery, unless the same shall be placed in an approved concrete foundation six inches (6") deep or deeper, if deemed necessary by the Sexton for the type of monument being placed, and with a concrete apron (lawn mower strip) not less than six inches (6") wide around said monument. The concrete apron is to be constructed flush with the ground to facilitate mowing and trimming.
c. All memorials must be constructed of stone, bronze or other equally durable composition and shall face the same direction and be in line with the markers and memorials around them. Memorials constructed of wood or other perishable materials are not allowed. Footstones, except those already present, shall not be allowed.
d. Markers placed in the tribute area shall be installed flat and flush with the surrounding ground.
e. No memorial may be erected on any lot or grave until such lot or grave space is fully paid for.
f. Exceedingly large or unusual monuments that may impair maintenance work in the cemetery, complicate future burials, encroach on adjacent lots, or impede the sprinkler spray pattern within the cemetery are prohibited.
g. Crypts, mausoleums, columbariums and other structures beyond the ability of the Town to accommodate are prohibited.
h. The placement of memorials on unfilled graves or lots is prohibited. An exception to this rule would be when one party sharing a memorial (as in a double marker) has been buried and the remaining plot sharing the memorial remains unused.
2. Monument companies are responsible for all damages to cemetery grounds and surrounding memorials that occur during their installation of a marker, memorial or monument. Monument companies and all other contractors must carry liability insurance coverage for not less than one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) for coverage for all work done within the cemetery. Any damage to turf, trees, shrubs, flowers or structures resulting from the delivery or setting of said memorial work will be assessed to the person, firm or corporation responsible for the memorial work. Memorial contractors shall make every effort to remove any excess debris resulting from their activity.
3. The Town shall not be responsible for any damage, loss, theft or vandalism to any monument, marker, adornment or floral display, even if it is located within the tribute area. Although great care is taken to avoid any damage during routine mowing and maintenance work, the Town cannot be responsible for inadvertent scratches and nicks that may occur to memorials during cemetery maintenance work. It shall be acknowledged by burial rights owners that such a risk is inherent to the placement of said memorials on cemetery lots.
4. Medallions and special service emblems that commemorate armed services participation and veterans' organizations are allowed, but are encouraged to be permanently attached to monuments or the monument bases in such a fashion so as not to incur damage, or to interfere with cemetery maintenance.
5. Only one monument, marker or memorial shall be permitted per burial space or one marker or memorial in total where two (2) adjoining plots share that marker or memorial.
6. No monument, memorial or marker may be removed from cemetery lots or plots, or taken from the cemetery, without written notification and involvement of the Sexton.
7. The width of single markers commemorating single burial plots, including the concrete mowing strip, shall not exceed forty four inches (44"), and shall be placed within the tribute area. A single monument must not exceed thirty six inches (36") in height if used.
8. Monuments for adjacent graves that commemorate more than one person (doubles) shall not exceed seventy two inches (72") on width, including the width of the concrete mowing strip, or thirty six inches (36") in height, and shall be centered over the contiguous graves. The memorial shall be placed within the tribute areas only, and shall not encroach on any nearby graves or walkways.
9. Only a marker, memorial or monument shall be permitted on the gravesite. The following items shall not be permitted: chairs, settees, benches, hanging baskets, wire, glass containers, glass covered boxes, boxes for the preservation of flowers, wreaths, statues, ornaments and flowerpots. Other questionable items are subject to the discretion of the Sexton and/or the Governing Body, and may be removed without notice. No monuments will be allowed before a person has been buried.
10. The Town assumes no responsibility for assuring that ordered markers, memorials or monuments are proper for the area and for name placement on the marker; therefore, a written permit for all memorials prior to their placement is required. A minimum of seventy two (72) hours' notice is required before the setting of any monument is allowed.
11. The Town reserves the right to move or cause to be moved, any monuments for the purpose of machine digging graves and cemetery improvements. Monuments so moved will be replaced to their original positions following burials or improvements.
12. Monuments and markers are generally for the purpose of identifying those individuals who are interred at the cemetery. Any person requesting to place a monument or marker in the cemetery for any other purpose must submit a written request to the Governing Body and receive written approval. Each request will be considered on a case by case basis. The decision shall be in harmony with the purpose of the cemetery.
13. Concrete or stone protective slabs covering individual graves are prohibited.
14. The funeral director or other entity involved with the burial shall be required to place a temporary marker in the tribute area of the grave immediately following the funeral. The placement of permanent memorials is encouraged within one year of burial.
15. Since memorials are private property, the upkeep and maintenance of individual memorials shall be the responsibility of the owner.
16. The unauthorized placement of any memorial shall result in a charge for said memorial removal or replacement, at the expense of the instigator, and other possible punitive measures.
B. Flowers, Decorations And Shrubbery:
1. The decoration of lots or graves with fencing, edging, boxes, toys, shells, images, sculptures, benches and statues (ceramic or otherwise), wire screens, arbors, trellises, individual artificial flowers anchored in the ground or any objects of a similar nature is prohibited without the written permission from the Governing Body and/or Sexton. No glass or ceramic objects or containers of any kind are permitted.
2. Winter decorations, grave blankets, decorative balls, artificial flowers and wreaths, are permitted between November 1 and April 1. During this time, tripods are permitted for those decorations not secured directly to the headstone.
3. Cemetery personnel will remove all seasonal decorations, as well as any decorations which have become unsightly in appearance, or a nuisance to the upkeep of the cemetery or to other lot owners. Lot owners who wish to save fall and/or winter decorations shall remove them before April 1. The Town and cemetery personnel shall not be liable for the removal of such decorations.
4. The Town and cemetery personnel will not be responsible for loss or damage to any decoration or article left upon any lot, grave or other part of the cemetery.
5. To facilitate mowing and trimming, no elevated mounds shall be built over graves and no lot shall be filled above the grade established by the Town.
6. Unsightly and dangerous objects will not be permitted as grave decorations and, when used, they may be removed without notice.
7. No responsibility will be assumed for the protection and maintenance of flowers, wreaths, emblems or other items used at funerals. As soon as such items become unsightly or faded, they will be removed. Family members are encouraged to remove items they desire to keep after the burial service has been concluded.
8. Plantings shall be permitted only under the supervision and approval of the Sexton, and after receiving written permission therefor. Plantings placed on a lot without permission will be removed without notice.
9. The Sexton may remove all floral pieces left on new graves longer than five (5) days.
10. To protect the beauty of the grounds of the cemetery, artificial flowers will not be allowed on grave surfaces during the mowing and maintenance season, April 1 to October 31, inclusive, except for Memorial Day decorations which must be removed within seven (7) days after Memorial Day. The Sexton shall have all artificial flowers and wreaths remaining on the graves after April 1 removed, and seven (7) days after Memorial Day.
11. Floral displays may be placed in permanent depressed metal vases set adjacent to and/or in line with a marker, memorial or monument and extend not more than six inches (6") from the base of the marker, memorial or monument.
12. During the mowing season, April 2 to October 31, all flowers and other decorations must be confined to the headstone, preferably attached to, or in a permanent receptacle or vase installed in its cement apron, or the memorial proper. Glass containers and items driven into the ground, such as iron, wires, sticks and pegs, are prohibited and may be removed upon discovery. Artificial flowers and/or wreaths are permitted only if affixed to the marker in such manner so as not to interfere with general maintenance practices.
13. As a special mark of respect to those who have served our country, the American flag should be displayed only on the graves of those persons who have honorably served in the armed forces of the United States of America in the provided receptacle.
C. Grounds Maintenance:
1. The Town reserves the right of easement over and across any lot or burial space in the cemetery for the maintenance and repair of turf, installation or maintenance of water pipes or water lines for the improvement of the cemetery, and for the opening and closing of adjacent graves. The Sexton will be responsible to see that all the work is completed and the surface returned to proper condition after such installation or maintenance work.
2. No grading, leveling or excavating upon a burial space shall be allowed without the written permission of the Sexton.
3. The Sexton reserves the right to direct the planting of trees and shrubs in the cemetery.
4. Mounds, which hinder the free use of a lawn mower or other gardening apparatus, are prohibited.
5. The Sexton shall have the right and authority to remove and dispose of any and all growth, emblems, displays or containers that through decay, deterioration, damage or otherwise, become unsightly, a source of litter or a maintenance problem.
6. Surfaces other than sod are prohibited.
7. All refuse of any kind or nature including, among others, dried flowers, wreaths, papers and flower containers must be removed or deposited in trash containers located within the cemetery.
8. All Eagle Scout projects shall be reviewed by the Governing Body and the Sexton prior to approval. The cost of the materials for said projects shall be borne by the Town.
9. The Sexton shall, whenever required, furnish the true lines of a lot according to an official survey, and shall prevent and prohibit any markings of the lot except by official landmarks.
D. Conduct Within Cemetery:
1. No children under the age of twelve (12) years will be allowed in the cemetery unless accompanied by an adult responsible for their conduct.
2. No person shall leave any refuse or rubbish in the cemetery, except that which they deposit in the receptacles provided.
3. The speed limit is ten (10) miles per hour on all drives within the cemetery.
4. Vehicles shall remain on cemetery drives. Excepting maintenance vehicles, driving on the lawns is prohibited.
5. No person shall pick or mutilate any flowers, either wild or domestic, or disturb any tree, shrub or other plant material.
6. No person shall use any form of advertising on cemetery premises.
7. It shall be unlawful to engage in recreational or other inappropriate activities on the cemetery property.
8. It is unlawful to bring, cause or permit a dog or any animal to enter the cemetery, except seeing eye dogs, or where horses are used as part of the funeral cortege, unless confined inside a vehicle.
9. The consumption of alcoholic beverages on cemetery property is prohibited.
10. It shall be unlawful to engage in any activity that may cause damage to any structure, monument or other fixture within the cemetery.
11. The hours of visitation for the cemetery shall be from dawn until dusk. No one is allowed in the cemetery beyond the hours of visitation without permission from the Sexton.
12. ATVs and other off road vehicles are prohibited except for those conducting maintenance work within the cemetery.
E. Vault Requirements:
1. In all burials, the casket shall be enclosed within an approved standard concrete burial vault capable of withstanding:
a. A passage load of five (5.0) metric tons after burial; and
b. A ground probe used to locate existing vaults; and
c. The inevitable contact made by excavation equipment during subsequent adjacent burials.
2. The concrete burial vault shall be completely sealed when assembled, and shall have no openings or other entrances for outside elements or water when in service.
3. The vault is to be installed in each burial space before interment and approved by the Sexton. An exception to this rule shall be with those individuals who are cremated, whose remains must be deposited in a waterproof, nondecaying container and buried to a depth where at least twenty four inches (24") of soil cover the cremain container or vault. A cremain vault for the cremain container is allowed but not required.
4. Burial vaults made of fiberglass, PVC plastic, wood, steel or any material other than concrete are strictly prohibited in the cemetery. (Ord. 2010-1, 6-15-2010)