NEW BEDFORD — Public outrage over mementos and decorations being removed from loved one's graves was addressed on Wednesday by members of the city council who make up the City Planning Committee and a quick resolution was promised.
The council met with two members of the Cemetery Board and directed the board to create an updated set of rules about what can and cannot be placed at graves within 30 to 45 days.
“I’ll get on this, and we’ll have rapid action,” cemetery member Jill Ussach said at the conclusion of the meeting held virtually and broadcasted on New Bedford Cable’s Facebook page.
Complaints heated up in May when those visiting graves found items missing and believed they were stolen. Some found out the items had been bagged up by cemetery workers and placed in storage and marked with plot numbers for loved ones to claim.
“I’ve never heard of bagging up items,” Ussach said.
Ussach drove through some of the city’s cemeteries to see for herself what was happening.
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“I’ve seen some that were nicely maintained, and some looked like an asphalt jungle,” she said.
Right now, the general rules have a designated area of 12 inches in front of the headstone where items or plantings can be placed if there are no glass figures, lights, perennials, mulch, stones and certain other items that may get displaced during a storm or cause a hazard to mowing equipment.
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Ussach said the old rules and regulations need to be updated but getting the word out might prove a challenge. Her suggestion that signs be posted at city cemeteries stating the rules was met with a resounding no from the committee.
“I’m not in favor of signs,” said Councilor Linda Morad, adding that cemeteries are quiet and respectful places and “big signs at the entrance are not appropriate.” She also said she didn’t believe the cemetery board has the right to tell people what items they can place as long as they stay within the 12-inch area from the headstone.
Looking to other communities' for guidance
Ussach also said that public input to the cemetery board would be helpful in drafting a new set of regulations.
This suggestion was also shot down by some planning committee members.
“It’s a very simple process,” said Council-At-Large Brian Gomes, adding the public has already given its input based on complaints he and other council members have received. “One meeting should be able to get it done.” He said he would be willing to attend the cemetery board’s next meeting to help draft the new rules.
Ussach said the cemetery board has reached out to area communities and Fall River to check their regulations for guidance.
Besides drafting up a set of new rules, the matter of items that have already been removed was discussed.
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Councilor notes 'inequity of enforcement'
Councilor-At-Large Ian Abreu spoke about the “inequity of enforcement” noting that some graves had items removed while another right next to it with similar decorations did not. He suggested that once the new rules are established, a brochure be included in a city mailing such as water and sewer bills. He said all city workers need to know the new rules to avoid random enforcement of them.
Councilor Joseph Lopes said he placed a child’s toy at a grave in Dartmouth and that five years later, the item is still there. He rationalized that an item like a large Christmas tree wouldn’t be appropriate, but “trinkets are OK.”
Ussach said people pay for the plots and perpetual care and should be allowed to place items at a loved one’s grave without the city restricting “every little thing.”
Councilor Brad Markey said he spoke with a woman who complained about items being removed and suggested that if any items are removed families should be notified why it was removed and direct them on how to retrieve the items.
Fairhaven woman alerts locals about extreme policy change at the New Bedford cemeteries
https://www.newbedfordguide.com/fairhaven-woman-extreme-policy-change-new-bedford-cemeteries/2021/05...
