Adams Veterans Cemetery Only For Veterans
ADAMS, Mass. — The Cemetery Commission has agreed that the veterans section in Bellevue Cemetery will remain veterans only — no spouses allowed.
Commissioner Bruce Shepley brought up the option to allow spouses to be buried in the veteran section, much like in national and state veteran cemeteries, last month. He said it may help alleviate the cemetery's eventual space concern.
But commissioner voted last Wednesday against the idea, feeling that they were fulfilling the wishes of veterans long buried there.
That was the reasoning for Chairman Fred Hobart, who came out against the change because those buried there expected to only be buried with fellow vets.
"I was up there and I was reading a lot of those names and a lot of those people have been up there for years," he said. "I don't care if we had 20 acres, and personally, for me, it's hallowed ground and I am against it."
Commissioner Jim Taylor said veterans who want to be buried with their families should just purchase their own lot.
"If you want your family, buy a lot, and I believe that these guys wanted to join their veteran brothers singularly," Taylor said. "There could be a million reasons why they chose to but they wanted to be buried in a part of the cemetery only for veterans."
Shepley agreed, conceding that it usually gets one burial per year and there are no immediate space concerns.
He added that they should clarify this specification in the regulations because currently there is nothing on the books regarding the veterans section.
In other business, even though the town has asked all departments to review all fees, the commissioners agreed to keep theirs as is.
Taylor said the fees were just updated in 2015.
"That is really not that long ago, and I don't feel as though the people of Adams need another rate increase, especially when they are grieving," Taylor said.
Shepley agreed and said the current fees are very up to date.
"We spent multiple hours in 2014 readjusting it and ... doing comparisons with surrounding communities so we are all in the same ballpark," he said. "I don’t see any need to change again right now."
He did add that they should review the fees every few years to make sure the town is getting a fair market value.
Tags: cemetery commission, veterans,
