Council weighs cremation limits per plot and $113,000 paving estimate for cemetery

Charleston — The Town Council addressed cemetery policy and a major paving estimate at its March 5 meeting after public comment raised questions about how many cremated remains can be placed in a single plot.

Resident Scott Keller asked whether the town had decided on a limit for cremations in one grave, and Council member Scott Solum expressed concern about available headstone space. Council member Don Sant said he has seen more than one name on a single headstone and suggested that could be a solution; Mayor Doug Clements said the council could allow four cremations per lot as a potential policy. Planner Brian Preece told the council that adopting a town resolution would be sufficient to formalize the policy. Jim Brown offered to contact Heber and Midway to learn how those nearby jurisdictions handle cremation limits.

Separately, Mayor Clements presented a $113,000 paving estimate for the cemetery and identified the work as a priority. He said he would contact contractors (including Mel McQuarrie and Staker Parsons) about needed work such as a berm along the cemetery boundary and asked Public Works to prepare the site for Memorial Weekend. The council did not take a formal vote on the paving estimate at the meeting and assigned follow-up inquiries to staff.

Residents seeking a formal policy on cremations should expect the council to consider a resolution; the council also will solicit cost estimates and proceed with follow-up on the paving plan.