by Brian Keaney

The rules and regulations governing Brookdale cemetery got “a bit of tidying up” yesterday for the first time in 12 years.  Chairman Marie-Louise Kehoe also announced she would begin working on seeking grants to benefit the old Village Ave Cemetery as well.

The Cemetery Advisory Committee has submitted to Town Administrator Bill Keegan several revisions to the rules, which have not been updated since 1997.  Keegan is responsible for promulgating the regulations designed to “protect the lot owner as well as the dignity and beauty of the Brookdale Cemetery.”

Under the new rules family members will not be allowed to place artificial floral arraignments on graves.  They will, however, be allowed to place Christmas wreathes and Christmas baskets between the months of November and February.

The ban on plastic flowers came at the suggestion of Committee member Frank Stapleton, who also proposed simply discouraging them.  “After no time at all, between the sun and the snow and the rain, they look awful,” he said.

The Committee also voted to recommend banning wind chimes and wire clothes hangers used to hang plantings on graves.  In addition, the Committee voted to require anyone working in the cemetery to remove themselves and any equipment from the area of an active internment, to the extent possible.

A proposal to ban working in the cemetery near Brookdale Ave. and East Street before 9 a.m. was defeated, however.  Brookdale Ave. resident and Committee member Archie DiVirgilio said neighbors had complained about loud lawn mowers and weed whackers being run early in the morning.

Department of Public Works Director Joe Flanagan opposed the ban, saying it created issues of inequity.  He said he could not justify banning early morning work on the cemeteries when other residents may have jackhammers outside their homes during morning hours.

Cemetery superintendent Rosco Maloney also gave a brief update of the work being performed in the rear of the cemetery, saying there was room for an additional 1,600 burials in that portion.  Lots in the portion of the cemetery currently being used are being sold before those in the rear will be, he said. 

This summer the DPW also hopes to implement a new web-based computer program that will allow users to search the entire Brookdale Cemetery to find individuals buried there.  Users will also be able see photographs of the front and rear of all headstones. 

In other news, Kehoe said the Town has submitted a grant to the US Department of the Interior seeking funds for the old Village Ave Cemetery through the office of Congressman Stephen Lynch.  The historic cemetery, which dates back to the earliest days of the Town, contains the remains of thousands of individuals including Town founders and Congressman Fisher Ames.  Kehoe also said she would be seeking funds from other sources this summer.

“I’m hopeful that in spite of the economy that there will be some funds out there,” Kehoe said.