Benton Harbor City Commissioners have tabled a resolution reaffirming city policies on decorations allowed at Crystal Springs Cemetery after being asked to approve one.
At Monday’s regular city commission meeting, City Manager Alex Little told commissioners people leave items on the graves of their loved ones, but sometimes the items really aren’t permitted.
“More and more different kinds of things are being added around cemetery plots,” Little said. “Lights, and you name it and what not. It’s just got to a point where it becomes problematic.”
Little said commissioners were being asked to approve a resolution stating such items must be removed by August 31 or they would be removed by city staff. However, Mayor Marcus Muhammad questioned the need to approve a resolution that only restates existing policy.
“If the ordinance is already on the books, the commission’s powers as it relates to ordinances is either to repeal or replace, amend,” Muhammad said. “Otherwise, the ordinance is the ordinance and should be enforced.”
Commissioners instructed Little to work with staff and the cemetery board to enforce the policy on items left at graves and did not act on the submitted resolution.
Current city policy does not allow glass objects, small fences, arches, markers, curbing, stones, or other items to be left on cemetery plots.
