Town Hall Early Closure - April 26, 2024 at 12:00PM Read more »
Print
Share page with AddThis

Cemetery Commission

 - Accepting applications through April 5, 2024 -

Stonington Cemetery Commission

A.  Establishment.  The Town hereby establishes a Cemetery Commission.

B.  Purpose.  The Cemetery Commission will serve as an advisory body to the First Selectman, and as a center of communication, with the objective of ensuring Stonington cemeteries are respectfully cared for, maintained and documented.

C.  Terms of Office.  The Commission shall be composed of five (5) regular members and two (2) alternate members who will serve staggered three-year terms. Regular and alternate members shall be appointed by the Board of Selectman.  The initial appointments by the Board of Selectmen shall be for one-, two- and three-year terms, and thereafter all terms shall be for three years.

D.  Membership.  All Commission members and alternate members shall be electors of the Town of Stonington.  The Commission should have diverse representation. When possible, preference should be given to ensure membership includes: a historian, a Veteran or Veteran’s representative, a member of the Conservation Commission or a landowner with a cemetery that lies within the landowner’s boundaries.  Seats should be given to those who will help ensure the balanced and diverse views needed to address cemetery needs within the Town of Stonington.

E.  Powers and duties.  The Commission shall, among other things:

  1. Work in a collaborative manner to evaluate, define and monitor the needs of cemeteries   within the Town of Stonington.
  2. Work with the Department of Public Works and the First Selectman to prepare a maintenance plan for all cemeteries owned by the Town of Stonington.
  3. Make recommendations for updating records as necessary.
  4. Work with other town Departments and Commissions as appropriate on matters related to cemeteries, for example, working to ensure that the Town’s approximate 120 acres of cemetery land is identified and cataloged. 
  5. Monitor State of Connecticut legislation and regulations relevant to cemetery ownership, care and maintenance.  When applicable, work with the Board of Selectmen on outreach and advocacy related to relevant public policy.
  6. Monitor the availability of grants, programs, partnerships and other resources to support the perpetual care of the Town’s cemeteries.
  7. Working with Historic Stonington, develop and maintain a program of public engagement, communication and education on the topic of cemetery maintenance, including gravestone maintenance and care.
  8. Other responsibilities relevant to cemetery maintenance as determined by the Department of Public Works and First Selectman.

Read the full ordinance here.