Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-07
t)IIiGsllce Does Away
NH Foe System.
Superintendent o. 8alla|s Now
Paid Salary BY CIV,
Change Gives Opportunity for Great
Improvement In Conditions.

The new ordinance passed by the
Augusta city council at the regular
meeting in April made some very inn
portant changes in the care of the
cemeteries under the charge of The
city, the most important being the do
ing away with the fee system for many
years connected with the Office OF sup
erintendent of burials and placing that
officer under a salary and making him
directly responsible to the city. This
change although it has only been in
operation a short time has already
shown itself to be of benefit both to
the city and the lot owners and To
give an opportunity for great improve
ments in the condition of the ceme-
terry, which could not well be made
under the old system. If the best re-
suits are to be secured from the new
system lot owners will find it to their
advantage to cooperate with the city
in the matter of cemetery improve
ment.
The superintendent of burials is APP
pointed by the mayor, and his func-
tions have been to take care of the
cemeteries, see that the graves were
made of the proper depth, keep a team
and drive the hearse. He was not
paid direct salary by the city, but
received his compensation from open
ing the graves, driving the hearse and
cutting grass upon the lots. Under
this system former superintendent
would naturally perform the most
labor upon cemeteries where the lot
owners were all living and paying for
the care of the lots. So a few years
ago 1t was necessary to make a special
appropriation for the restoration of old
Mt. Vernon cemetery, which contained
the bodies of the founders and older
residents of the city. This appropria-
ton was wisely expended under the
direction of Hiram Clark, who was
then 4 member of the board of alder
men and chairman of the cemetery
committee, and SO when the changa
was made in the management of the
office of superintendent of burals Mr.
Clark was Mayor Johnson's choice for
the office of superintendent of burials
The superintendent of burials is now
given a salary OF $500 and 500 for the
use of his team while all fees received
are turned over to the city. The sup
erintendent puts in all his time at the
better results with a smaller crew of
men than was possible heretofore. The
principal cemeteries under the control
of the city are Mt. Vernon, Mt. Pleas
ant and Riverside. There are a num-
Der of rural cemeteries but these are
looked after in the main by people in
that section. Riverside cemetery has
been partly cared for by someone liv-
ing on the east side OF the river, but
that cemetery also will in a week or
two be placed under the direct care
OF the superintendent of burials The
only change which the city has made
in the fees for service is the raising of
the price for the care of lots from
$3.50, the old fee paid directly to the
superintendent, to 81 All other
charges remain the same Under the
present system the lot owner receives
so much more benefit that the small
amount extra charged seems a trifling
compensation for the extra service.
The men are kept at work in the ward
all the time under careful superin-
tendence and the smallest detail in thu.
matter of keeping UP each lot attend.
ed to.
Mr.. Clark entered upon the duties
of his office, April 23 and since that
time SO many have the improvements
been in the condition of both Mt. YER
non and Mt. Pleasant cemeteries that
those who visited the cemeteries on
Memorial day were heard to make
many favorable comments upon what
had been done. Much more, however
remains to be done and Will be carried
out from time to time in securing uni
formity OF appearance of the lots. The
abolishing of the fee system and plac-
ing the superintendent of burials upon
salary basis is simply putting Au-
gusta in line with other cities and as
the new plan continues and develops
there Is no doubt that it will be found
much more satisfactory.