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Williamstown Haunted Cemetery Meets With OppositionBy Lyndsay DeBord
Special to iBerkshires
08:20PM / Wednesday, October 15, 2008
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Plans for a Halloween haunted cemetery tour at Eastlawn Cemetery were met with opposition Tuesday night, with one citizen saying he was "appalled and shocked" at the idea.
Halloween event coordinator Juliana von Haubrich, who first spoke about the event to the Selectmen in August, addressed the board's concerns regarding the cemetery.
von Haubrich said adults will lead five-person tours in the older graveyard. The graves will be roped off to the public and the rest of the cemetery will be secured by road blocks. Also, she said, the tours will stay on the old road, never walking on or near any graves, and the re-enactments take place where no one is buried.
"The actors have the deepest respect for the people in the story they are portraying," said von Haubrich.
Photo by Lyndsay DeBord
Selectman Thomas Costley discusses the planned Haunted Eastlawn Cemetery; a map of the cemetery is at left |
Members of the creative team for the haunted cemetery were also in attendance, including Kelli Newby from Main Street Stage, local historian Paul Marino of North Adams and board members from the Williamstown House of Local History.
The event is supported through grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Fund for Williamstown and is also funded by the Friends of the Milne Public Library and its board of trustees.
Selectman David A. Rempell said he felt better after hearing the new measures taken to ensure graves would not be disturbed. He also said the cemetery is "an important town landmark."
At the meeting, town member Michael Steele voiced his opposition to the haunted cemetery.
"I'm basically appalled and shocked," said Steele, who added that he spoke for many members of the town.
While the Williamstown native said the creative aspects and planning of the event were admirable, he believes the location is inappropriate.
"I think it's a direct frontal assault on our cultural and religious values," said Steele.
Selectman Richard C. Steege also said he felt disappointed the event was taking place in a cemetery.
"Children don't need to think about a cemetery being haunted," said Steege.
Steele also voiced concern about photos that were posted on Flickr, a photo-posting Web site, that included a photograph of a child's grave.
von Haubrich responded and said that the photos were "an early tool for communicating with writers [for the event]."
Selectman Ronald Turbin said he believed the problem may have been from miscommunication and also said he wanted to highlight the history and culture of the event.
von Haubrich said, in celebrating Halloween, the haunted tour would be "spooky" and added that the content is "completely historically based."
The Haunted Eastlawn Cemetery, located on Route 2, will take place Friday, Oct. 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. Entrance to the haunted historical tour is $5 and will benefit the Williamstown House of Local History, and Main Street Stage theater company and Inkberry of North Adams.
The tours will be staffed by the House of Local History, the library and the Police Department and will take place on the lawn next to and around Sherman Burbank Chapel. There will also be free shows at the chapel, arts and crafts from the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, and healthy drinks and snacks for sale by Wild Oats Community Market.
In other business:
The board approved the transfer of an all-alcoholic package store license from Ronald Gagnon of The Spirit Shop of Williamstown to John and Tracy Baker, who will be purchasing the building at 280 Cole Ave. that will become The Spirit Shop Inc.
A local auction permit was approved for the former Taconic Restaurant, located at 1161 Cold Spring Road, with the auction to take place on Thursday, Oct. 23, at noon.
The property was purchased from South Adams Savings Bank by real estate developer Ariel Sutain in April for $150,000. Sutain, who owns the Hoosac Mill in North Adams, told The Berkshire Eagle last week that he was selling the 9,600 square-foot building because he had too many projects going. JJ Manning Auctioneers is overseeing the bidding.
The board waived a $90 permit fee for the Church Corners LLC project in the former St. Raphael's Church and rectory. The town's Affordable Housing Committee is converting property into affordable units. The board decided to wait on a decision to make further waivers until a budget was set for the project.
The Selectmen also signed the general election warrant for Tuesday, Nov. 4, a water and sewer warrant, a proclamation recognizing Susan Mead, who will be honored by the Northern Berkshire Business and Professional Women later this month, and resigned a lease agreement for Cal Ripken Baseball.
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