Canton Cemetery Maintenance Concerns Raised

CANTON, CT — Concerns about the long-term maintenance of several cemeteries in Canton prompted a call for additional town oversight during the Canton Board of Selectmen's June 24 meeting.

During public comments at the last selectmen meeting, resident Dick Barlow told the board that the Huckleberry Hill Cemetery Association is bankrupt and said several cemeteries in town lack adequate funding for maintenance.

He asked the Canton Board of Selectmen to establish a cemetery committee to review the conditions and financial status of each cemetery and develop budget recommendations for the next fiscal year.

Selectman Tim LeGeyt said municipalities have a responsibility to assume cemetery maintenance under certain circumstances if a cemetery association is no longer able to care for its property.

"It is a municipal obligation to acquire cemetery responsibilities if an association has lost the ability to maintain the grounds," LeGeyt said.

The board did not take action on Barlow's request during the meeting, and no committee was established.

According to the meeting minutes, the discussion occurred during the public comment portion of the agenda.

Any future action on cemetery maintenance or the creation of a committee would need to come before the board at a later meeting.

For the minutes of the June 24 Canton Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

To watch the June 24 Canton Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

For more information on Canton's cemeteries, click on this link.