By Colleen Dane
Record Staff
Oct 17 2007

The history found in Cumberland’s cemeteries will soon be protected, thanks to a bylaw brought forward to councillors last week.

The bylaw, presented at a special committee of the whole, will protect the municipal, Japanese and Chinese cemeteries in the village.

“This is our first step,” said planner Jo Pilson to committee members.

While the municipal and Japanese cemeteries are owned by the village itself, the Chinese one is still unclear as to its ownership. Pilson said they’ve made due diligence in trying to contact that owner, but it brought forward the issue of ownership for councillors once again.

Mayor Fred Bates said a bill for the continued village maintenance of the property should be sent to the owners, with a suggestion that they’d forgive the debt in exchange for the property’s title.

Pilson said they’re still not sure if it’s E&N who owns the land, or TimberWest.

Councillors also asked that the village’s cemetery bylaw be amended to apply to the Japanese site as well.

The bylaw came forward for review by council, but staff were not seeking any approvals at this time.