STAFFORD COUNTY CEMETERY COMMITTEE

ADOPT-A-CEMETERY

 

RULES AND REGULATIONS

I.         Preliminary    Procedures    for   Adopting   Organizations,    Groups,    and/or

1.   All organizations, groups, and/or individuals must be approved by the Stafford County Cemetery Committee for the Adopt-A-Cernetery program.

2.   All adopting organizations, groups, and/or individuals must sign an Adopt-A-Cemetery program agreement.

3.   Cemetery selection must be coordinated between the Cemetery Committee, the property owner/trustee, and the adopting organization, group, and/or individual.

4.   Participants must be at least 8 years of age.

5. All adopting agencies will fill out a Stafford County Cemetery Survey form. The SCCC will confer with the adopting agency regarding the proper way to fill out the form.

1.   There is to be absolutely NO subsurface disturbance at any time within the established boundaries and buffers of the cemetery.

2. There is to be absolutely NO DISTURBANCE of any stones/markers whether they are carved, fieldstone, or other material. The same applies to brick or stone borders.

3.   Small trees, underbrush, shrubs, weeds, and other non-desirable plants will be identified by the SCCC. These will be marked and/or pointed out to the clean, up party by the SCCC. Only those plants identified for removal by the SCCC are to be removed.

4.   Small trees, and shrubs with woody sterns, designated for removal will be marked by the SCCC, These should be removed by cutting and/or sawing them down as close to the ground surface as possible without disturbing the ground.

5. Other plant material identified by the SCCC to be removed should be cut down to the ground surface using pruners, clippers, or other like hand tools. At no time should plant material be pulled out of the ground.

6-   At NO TIME are motorized trimmers, lawnmowers, riding mowers, and digging tools of any kind to be used in the cemetery and its buffer. These items would include, but are not inclusive of, tractors, any heavy equipment, roto tillers, trowels, shovels, any digging apparatus of any sort, and steel tooth rakes. These items can be very damaging to cemetery markers.

7. Repairs, removal, refurbishing, replacement, and/or placement of any fencing may

not be done without the approval of the SCCC and/or the property owner.

8.   At NO TIME will the adopting agency attempt to repair broken and/or displaced grave markers. The SCCC will confer with the adopting agency, and the property owner concerning any restoration and/or repair of grave markers.

9.   An attitude of respect for those individuals who are buried in the cemeteries should be maintained at all times. Do not sit on grave markers. Remove any trash generated from your visit to the cemetery,

III.      Fencing & Signage

1.   Fencing/enclosure decisions will be made on a case by case basis. Fencing decisions will be made in consultation with the SCCC, the property owner/trustee, and the adopting agency.

2.   When required, a gate compatible with the fencing is to be provided.

3. Signage for the cemetery will consist of a brass plaque containing the name of the cemetery. The sign should be placed near the entrance to the cemetery. The SCCC will provide the contact information for the sign company.

4.   The sign should be attached to the fencing when possible. Any other placement is to be determined with the consultation of the SCCC.

5.   The SCCC will provide information on possible financing for the fencing and signage.

The SCCC, the property owner/trustee, and the adopting organization or individual shall understand that all their activity within the cemetery and its surroundings is strictly on a volunteer basis.   None of the above named parties are liable for any injuries incurred while working on the cemetery.

V.         Precautions

1. All participants in the clean up of the cemetery should wear the proper clothing for such an activity. This should include, but is not inclusive of, gloves, closed toed shoes, and long pants.

2.   All participants in the clean up of the cemetery should be aware that there may be poisonous plants and insects of all types on site.   Individuals allergic to such things should be aware and take the appropriate precautions.

3.   A first aide kit must be on site at all times.

4. Tools used for clean up are to be used only by those individuals capable of using them properly.