The Salem City Council after discussion over the past few months has adopted an ordinance slightly raising fees and putting more regulations on what can be placed at gravesites in the East Lawn Cemetery.
While Councilman Jim Koehler expressed concern about the ordinance blowing up on them, Public Works Director Annette Sola said implementation will be gradual.
“I think it will be something that will take some time. AS we are mowing and cleaning weekly in the cemetery and they find articles out there that have fallen apart, then at that time we will start moving things one item at a time. We don’t have any intention right now to just do a sweep of the entire area. And we want to give people plenty of time to understand the ordinance and make changes to their plots so that they can become in compliance.”
Sola explains what the rules will require going forward.
“It really means just putting flowers in containers. Not having individual flowers on the ground that would have to be moved to be weedeated. Multiple different type of planters or trinkets that would require staff to literally pick them up out of the ground and move them. So if you want to put flowers, they should be in a planter or vase that can be mowed and weedeated around.”
But Sola says special grave decorations will be allowed around holidays and immediately after a funeral. Mayor Nic Farley cast the only no vote.
“I was a little concerned about not being able to put some flowers out. I have had lots of residents contact me. I wasn’t totally opposed but I was unclear of how everything was going to work out. And it wasn’t as clearly defined as I would of liked.”
Sola reports anyone with questions or concerns can contact her at city hall or the staff at the cemetery. Sola hopes the new rules are posted on the city’s website in about 30 days.
The city council approved the yearly 0.02-percent property tax increase for maintenance, repair and alterations of Bryan-Bennett Library buildings and equipment.
The council agreed to surplus and give away the Bicentennial Plaza commemorative marker to the sisters of the late Mayor John O. Jones who was in office at the time the Plaza was created in 1976. The Plaza property has now been sold to the ABC Pub next door.
