Burlington Selectmen Consider Relaxing Cemetery Decoration Rules

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington officials are considering relaxing the town cemetery's rules on decorations and plantings on gravesites.

The Board of Selectmen discussed a potential change in policy at their Feb. 22 meeting and they may vote on it at their March 8 meeting.

Public Works Director John Sanchez explained the proposed rules to allow certain holiday decorations, of limited size, for limited periods.

"Our goal is to maintain the cemetery looking good," Sanchez said. "We hope the regulations will help both our residents know what the rules are they know what constraints they may have and also help our cemetery crews when they do the work in maintaining the cemeteries."

"It's put our employees in a difficult position in the past when we remove" decorations, Selectman Michael Runyan said. "We're looking for some middle ground here."

The rule change would be accompanied by more signage to make the rules on decorations clear.

Selectman Bob Hogan noted that if the rules are changed, they need to be enforced consistently.

"If this is the policy, this is the policy," he said.

The full meeting is available here from BCAT.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.