Photo by B. Shakyaver
Municipal staff were hoping to be proactive with a framework proposed at South Huron Council’s meeting on Monday (June 17th).
The framework would see a best practice established for providing financial aid to cemeteries within the municipality.
Clerk Alex Wolfe noted that five out of nine cemeteries within municipal boundaries had requested some form of financial assistance.
Deputy Mayor Jim Dietrich expressed support for making funds available to cemeteries in need, and setting aside those funds in advance. However, Councillor Ted Oke highlighted past challenges with community grants and cautioned against reopening such issues.
Councillor Aaron Neeb advocated for establishing a framework to ensure equitable support across various cemeteries.
A framework would provide consistent expectations and help manage resources effectively.
Councillor Marissa Vaughan raised the question of whether the municipality would be obligated to maintain cemeteries as active if they were to take over due to financial or volunteer constraints. Clerk Wolfe responded that any request to take over a cemetery would require comprehensive information and documentation and might obligate the municipality to maintain active status, depending on pre-sold internment rights and existing records.
CAO Rebekah Msuya-Collison added that the municipality would need to verify the ability to inter in existing plots which have already been sold.
Council agreed to direct staff to draft a framework, with Council set to review the proposed framework at a later meeting.
Written by: B. Shakyaver
