Dear Newbury Residents,
Over the last few years Munn Cemetery has been the site of some extensive personal landscaping by friends and families of individuals buried there. A recent survey of the cemetery by our service director showed more than a dozen graves with landscaping beyond the scope of the cemetery regulations, as follows:
Planting may be made at the East side of the stone (on the grave) not exceeding a distance of two feet total from the marker. Ground cover is not permitted beyond the two-foot distance from the marker and will be cut as necessary.
New shrubs, bushes or trees are not permitted as gravesite plantings. Existing shrubs or bushes will be trimmed or removed by cemetery maintenance as needed.
Artificial flowers or ornaments are permitted on the graves until they become weather beaten. Christmas decorations must be removed by April 1. The Township is not responsible for damage or theft of such items and may remove them if they become unsightly.
Benches must be authorized by the township.
Large monuments that cover the entire gravesite, and boulders or rocks are not permitted.
Extensive landscaping and grave decorating beyond the two-foot limit makes access by the township backhoe difficult in the best of weather and nearly impossible during a typical Newbury winter.
Therefore, all plants, unpermitted benches, rocks or bricks and all other items must be removed if they are beyond the two-foot limit. The deadline for removal by friends or families was October 17. After that, the sexton and road department will review the cemeteries and remove those items still in the way. Plants may be relocated and other items will be kept in the Newbury Center Cemetery vault until next spring. If unclaimed they will be disposed of.
If you have concerns about graveside plantings please send an e-mail to awishart@newburyohio.com including the name on the grave, the location and your concern. Ann will consult with the cemetery liaison and respond accordingly.
We want to respect our departed but we also need to maintain our cemeteries in as efficient and cost-effective a manner as possible. We ask for your cooperation in this endeavor.
Newbury Township Trustees