The Town of Princeton has plans to improve its cemetery, after receiving complaints about dry, brown grass and the facility’s overall poor condition.
But for at least one local resident, it’s too little too late.
Council reviewed a report at its meeting Monday night, prepared by infrastructure director Jamie Umpleby, outlining a current maintenance schedule and making recommendations for the future.
Acknowledging that the cemetery has fallen into disrepair, the report states that one staff member was recently assigned to provide cemetery maintenance, and that on an interim basis a water truck will be dispatched to the cemetery every other day.
Umpleby is also recommending the municipality budget $100,000 to install an irrigation line to draw water from a nearby creek, and replace the fence at a cost of $20,000.
“Staff are evaluating our staffing levels to determine if it is feasible from a cost and manpower availability to re-establish a full-time cemetery attendant,” the report reads.
Council received the report as information.
Local resident Spencer Coyne, who told The Spotlight he is considering being a candidate in the 2018 municipal election, made his complaints about the condition of the cemetery public on Facebook this summer, after he visited the grave of his daughter, on her birthday.
He also wrote a letter addressed to the mayor and council.
“I went up there to visit my daughter and I had to pick weeds from my daughter’s headstone just so I could get to it. It was unacceptable,” he said in an interview. “I don’t think anyone should have to go up there and do ground maintenance before they visit their loved ones.”
The existing grass was not mowed, he said, and gopher holes were abundant.
“I’m grateful that they are paying attention but I believe that it’s too little too late…I believe the lack of maintenance up there is more a lack of leadership. If the town had a long term plan they wouldn’t be in the position they are in right now.”
Coyne said a permanent solution to the cemetery’s lack of irrigation is required.
There are three wells at the cemetery. One is now unusable, and two have been refurbished although they do not supply enough water to adequately irrigate the cemetery during the summer.
Several years ago the cemetery had a full-time staff member dedicated to cemetery maintenance.
“If council does not have the man power, maybe it’s time to look at contracting a grounds keeper.”
Princeton CAO Cheryl Martens said she was made aware of the issues at the cemetery when she took up her position at the beginning of this year.
“It’s a concern and we are working on it,” she said. “It’s a challenge because the soil isn’t conducive to growing grass. It’s gravel and sand and it’s high up and parched by the sun, and then we have the state of the wells.”