BG considers increased cemetery fees

By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN

BG Independent News

 

Bowling Green wants to dig itself out of its losing rate system that doesn’t cover expenses at Oak Grove Cemetery.

So on Monday, council gave first reading of new regulations for the cemetery, which sits north of Bowling Green State University. The goal is to set rates that more reflect the actual cost to maintain the site.

“It would get us closer to that,” Assistant Municipal Administrator Joe Fawcett explained. “But even the proposed changes wouldn’t get us to that point.”

The city is taking care to keep the rates lower for city residents, with no price change recommended for the purchase of a plot for an adult resident. “We are giving the benefit to city residents,” Fawcett said.

Some of the rate changes include:

• Grave lots for adult non-residents will increase from $425 to $850.
• Infant grave lots will increase from $115 to $150 for residents and $130 to $250 for non-residents.
• Adult internment for adult residents will increase from $350 to $600, and $460 to $800 for non-residents.
• Infant internment for residents will increase from $150 to $200, and for non-residents from $200 to $300.

Rates are also set to increase for weekend burials, holiday burials, cremation burials, disinternments and reburials.

Some of the other changes in the cemetery regulations include:

• Total height of new monuments may not exceed 36 inches. Any violation may result in the city issuing an order to remove.
• Prohibited items around the graves were expanded to ban mulch, glass objects, solar powered lights, wind socks, pinwheels, mailboxes and stepping stones.
• No grave blankets or flower containers may be placed where they impede mowing or maintenance.
• No shrubbery or rose bushes may be planted on lots. No trees or shrubbery will be planted in the cemetery except by the city.
• No additional graveside benches will be permitted after June 15. Existing benches may remain and are encouraged to be placed in a position that promotes ease of maintenance.
• The cemetery will be open to the public a half hour before sunrise and a half hour after sunset.
• Disinternments are only permitted Monday through Thursdays of non-holiday weeks.
• Indigent burials may only be done with prior authorization of the municipal administrator.

Approximately 400 plots remain available in Oak Grove Cemetery. Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter told council she would send them information on other comparable cemetery rates.

In other business, Public Works Director Brian Craft said the recent snow storm kept city crews busy, with seven plows on the road at once, and many calls coming in about limbs and wires down.

Craft also announced that this summer a turn lane will be added on East Gypsy Lane Road at South Main Street. He gave updates on other projects, noting that the Clough-Third Street waterline work is continuing, and Columbia Gas has returned to West Evers, Grove and Conneaut to finish work from last year.

More than 100 trees will be planted this week, with white flags showing their placement, Craft said.

And plans are underway to get new LED message boards for the police station and public utilities on Poe Road to let residents know about events such as snow emergencies and leaf collections.

Also at Monday’s meeting, council heard from two residents, Damien Womack and Antrone Moore about their efforts to increase awareness about strokes.

Moore, a former professional basketball player, had a massive stroke when in his 30s.

“The doctors saw him as a lost cause,” Womack, his cousin, said. “The doctors said he would never walk and talk again.”

But Moore has worked hard and has become an activist for stroke awareness. Cancer and heart disease get a lot of attention, but strokes, “the No. 1 silent killer, goes unnoticed,” Womack said.

“We are two people trying to make a difference in this community,” Womack said.

Moore, who has written a book “A Walking Testimony” about his experience, thanked the community for its support.

In other business, council:

• Heard the Human Rights Commission present an “Honor Roll Award” to the Bowling Green Middle School Building Club. The group has organized a food drive, sock drive, humane society fundraiser, helped the Kiwanis Club and the Salvation Army, and “made our city a better place to live,” said Rev. Mary Jane Saunders, president of the commission.
• Gave a first reading to a resolution to put a 2-mill parks and recreation levy on the ballot in November.
• Learned the city has been selected as one of the best Tree Cities in Ohio for the 36^th year in a row.
• Were reminded the State of the City will take place April 28, at 8 a.m., in the library atrium.
• Got an update from Wendy Chamber, executive director of the Bowling Green Conventions and Visitors Bureau.
• Heard from Parks and Recreation Director Kristin Otley that the summer program schedules are out, and that a 50-plus health exposition will be held April 27 at the community center.
• Learned applications for the Bike Safety Commission’s “Spokesperson of the Year” are available.
• Were notified the city was recognized Sunday by the Black Swamp Green Team for its efforts to build a solar field.
• Heard a meeting about garbage collection will be held prior to the council meeting on May 16 at 6 p.m.