COCHRANE CEMETERY MASTERPLAN OPEN HOUSE TOWN HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS 171 4 TH AVENUE, COCHRANE, ON MAY 8, 2019 – 5:00 PM TO 6:30 PM
WELCOME Open House – 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Presentation and Public Engagement Session – 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Cemetery Authority Cemetery Master Plan presentation Projects and ideas to improve cemeteries in the Town of Cochrane Questions, comments, and concerns
WHY WE’RE DOING AN OPEN HOUSE The Town of Cochrane is currently constructing a Master Plan to improve the cemeteries operation and aesthetics. The Town of Cochrane wants the public’s input and ideas for cemeteries. This allows the public to become familiar with cemeteries within the Town, services that we offer, and gives the public an opportunity to ask questions.
TOWN OF COCHRANE CEMETERIES The Town of Cochrane has control of 3 cemeteries Civic Cemetery – Corner of Golf Course Road and Concession 2&3 Roman Catholic Cemetery – Genier Road between Concession 2&3 and Concession 4&5 Genier Cemetery – In the Village of Genier
CIVIC CEMETERY
ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY
GENIER CEMETERY
CEMETERY AUTHORITY The cemeteries in the Town of Cochrane operate under Town of Cochrane By- Law Number 1274-2017 The Town of Cochrane Cemeteries are regulated under the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) The Town of Cochrane has a Cemetery Committee that meet regularly to discuss issues, concerns, and ideas, which are brought forward to Council The Town has 2 ORFA certified cemetery operators: Shane Skinner, Director of Infrastructure Services Eric Genier, Rural Coordinator
CEMETERY MASTER PLAN The Town of Cochrane started constructing a Master Plan for the cemeteries to provide direction for improvements that should be made to the cemeteries This allows us to gather information, concerns, and ideas at all levels The department of Infrastructure Services spearheaded the project There are 5 stages to this project: Department produces recommendations 1. Cemetery Committee reviews, discusses, and adds to the Plan 2. Public Open House to obtain feedback, concerns, and recommendations 3. Cemetery Committee reviews recommendations from the Public Open House 4. Infrastructure Services proceeds with finalizing plan and recommend improvements 5. for Council Approval
CIVIC CEMETERY ENTRANCE Improve the entrance to the Civic Cemetery Sandblasted rock with name of cemetery Shrubs and flowers around the rock
ADDITIONAL PARKING AT CIVIC CEMETERY
EXPANSION OF CIVIC CEMETERY The Civic Cemetery is nearing capacity and expansion is required The Town of Cochrane will begin the application process in the near future to ensure there is no shortage of plots
RECORD KEEPING AND MAPPING The Town of Cochrane is looking to improve record keeping via a cemetery software This would allow the Town to give the Public easy access to names and location of loved ones in the cemeteries The Town currently has hardcopy maps of the cemeteries available internally. The cemeteries are also mapped on the Town’s internal GIS software New, user (public) friendly maps to be made, showing sections of the cemetery Maps will be available online and at Town Hall
CIVIC CEMETERY LANDSCAPE RESTORATION
LANDSCAPE RESTORATION The current terrain at the Civic Cemetery is severely uneven The department is proposing a phased landscaping project Landscaping will include removing headstones, bases, trees, etc. Each headstone and base will be GPS surveyed and placed in the exact spot it was removed from New earth and topsoil will be spread and sloped to create a flat terrain with improved drainage Headstones will be replaced This project will improve accessibility to plot sites and will improve cemetery aesthetics
CEMETERY FENCE The current chain link fence at the Roman Catholic Cemetery and the Civic Cemetery is in poor condition and at the end of its lifecycle The initial plan was to replace the chain link fence with a new, more appealing black wrought iron fence This is a costly project During the Cemetery Committee meeting, a member proposed a hedge fence instead of an iron fence
MEMORIAL BENCHES & TREES All trees, shrubs, and any belongings on cemetery plots that do not conform to the Town of Cochrane By-Law will be removed from all cemeteries The department is proposing to plant “memorial trees” in areas designated by the Town/Cemetery Committee These trees will require minimum maintenance, i.e. restricted height and non- invasive roots Benches are to be installed in various locations throughout the cemetery
FLOWERING VEGETATION It was brought to our attention that the cemeteries lacked flowering vegetation The plan is to design and construct more flowering gardens in each cemetery Provide flower gardens around the new columbarium sites
LARGER TREE BUFFER One concern is the lack of tree buffer around adjacent properties and vault buildings Plant more coniferous trees around the vault buildings Plant coniferous trees to separate the open field and the cemetery
CIVIC CEMETERY – VETERANS AREA New interlock walkway to flag pole for improved accessibility Stone memorial that will include the names of all Veterans buried in the cemetery Add aesthetic appeal to the Veterans area
CEMETERY PROMOTION The cemeteries lack readily available information for the public By-Laws have now been posted on site No map of the cemetery denoting the different sections The Town website has limited information
ON-SITE INFORMATION KIOSK Billboard-type kiosk containing a map the cemetery, important information, and contacts. Located at the entrances to each cemetery Direct the public to visit the Town website for more information Cemetery email for comments, complaints, and suggestions
COCHRANE WEBSITE WEBPAGE The Town creates a webpage within the Town of Cochrane’s website The webpage will contain all maps with sections Links to important information such as the By-Law, the BAO, cemetery fees, etc. A place for the public to provide input, comments, issues
WATER AT CEMETERIES The department is looking into a way to have onsite water storage for the public to access to water flowers on plots The Town’s water main does not extend to any of the cemeteries. A rain catchment system would be the only way to provide this service
NEW COLUMBARIUM Roman Catholic Cemetery Columbarium Civic Cemetery Columbarium
COLUMBARIUM In January 2018, the Town of Cochrane had a columbarium installed at the Civic Cemetery and Roman Catholic Cemetery A columbarium is a structure to house niches for the internment of urns. A niche is a space that can fit 2 urns Each niche is 12.5” wide x 14” deep x 12.5” height Each columbarium has 48 niches (24 per side) The face of the columbarium face north and south in each cemetery
COLUMBARIUM Plaques are used instead of sandblasting The plaque creates a uniform look across the columbarium Plaques are installed the day they are received by the Town
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, OR CONCERNS
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