Council seeks cemetery sign input
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Citizens of the town, not its staff, will play the primary role in choosing signage for its cemetery.
Director of Parks and Recreation Rick Cox presented a report to council Monday evening, detailing four options for changes to existing cemetery signage. The current sign replaced an earlier set of pre-cast letters, and features what appears to be town branding at its left side, and a prominent ‘Tillsonburg’ in large letters along with ‘Cemetery’ in smaller letters underneath.
Cox’s report included history leading to current signage, and recommended two of four suggested options: essentially keeping the existing sign in place and completing landscaping around it; and adding brick pillar and iron-gate signs to fencing at both cemetery entrances, featuring the civic address incorporated into featured artwork.
Council quickly displayed an apparent consensus on an unofficial option five however: deferring the report and creating a local advisory board or committee to seek additional public input.
Councillor Marty Klein took the lead on an approach that displayed broad-based support.
He has received a number of public comments, he explained following the meeting, that the current sign is not conducive to a cemetery.
“People are very sensitive to their cemetery, it’s very important to people.”
Councillor Mel Getty agreed with Klein’s suggestion of an advisory committee, noting the nature of a cemetery as the eternal resting place for loved ones.
“That’s a pretty sacred area and a pretty special area for them,” he said, noting it would be ‘appropriate,’ to get public input.
“I’d rather see something a little more personal to the area,” added Councillor Chris Rosehart.
Deputy Mayor Mark Renaud concurred with the prevailing direction of the conversation, but suggested taking the exercise a step beyond a board or committee, to the creation of a cemetery master plan.
“So we have a plan for the future.”
Town CAO David Calder interjected that a report on committee structure will be forthcoming at the February 11 meeting of open council.
A motion to defer debate on cemetery signage passed unanimously.