Rose Hill, Maplewood Cemeteries discussed

Posted Date: 07/24/2024

Rose Hill Cemetery and Maplewood Cemetery were discussed at the Perpetual Care Committee meeting on Friday, July 19. Board members and several 20th Century Club members attended.

Several issues were discussed, and committee chairman and City Councilman Larry Phillips asked the council to consider some of the items on Thursday, July 25.

The 20th Century Club has trees it wants to donate, but it needs assistance with watering them so they can survive.

The discussion also included when to use the $1.86 million perpetual care funds and when to ask the city for the money. The committee strives to do projects with the interest earned yearly, so it doesn’t have to touch the principle.

Maintenance of the cemeteries was one of the biggest concerns. After discussing the problem, the maintenance crew agreed to communicate and work closely with the clubs that put out flags or wreaths so the mowing schedule doesn’t interfere with the display time. Then, they asked for club members to return and gather the seasonal items. That would also be another good practice for family members who like to decorate their loved ones’ graves.

The city placed a couple of dog waste stations in the cemetery, and the mowers still have problems with owners not cleaning up after their dogs. Please bring your own plastic bags or use the ones at the waste station and then dispose of them properly in the trash barrels in every cemetery section.  If the problem continues, the City may have to consider no longer allowing dogs within the cemetery. 

These cemeteries are historic and beautiful, and the public must help maintain them properly.