Lack of care at Hillcrest Cemetery at issue

CANTON TWP. – Utilizing a weed eater and enduring the oppressive heat on a recent afternoon, township employee Steve Harper works to give Hillcrest Cemetery grounds a respectable appearance.

Canton Township recently assumed maintenance of the cemetery, which is on Stark County-owned land that also houses the Multi-County Juvenile Attention System complex in the 800 block of Faircrest Street SW.

"When we first came here it was a mess," Harper said while on a break from his groundskeeping chores. "It took me a month to get it cleaned up. It is real bad. Where the graves are, it is all sunk in. This is a nightmare to mow. See all the dips? Those are all graves."

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The cemetery's condition is the reason township officials are upset over Stark County's plan to turn over ownership of Hillcrest Cemetery to the Canton Township Board of Trustees. 

In a recent letter to Stark County commissioners, township officials state that apparent negligence resulted in Hillcrest Cemetery being in "less than ideal condition and in some instances, simply disrespectful to those whose final resting place is within the Hillcrest Cemetery." 

The Stark County Prosecutor's Office wrote last year to township officials stating that Canton Township is responsible for the care of Hillcrest Cemetery.

"There has been some overgrowth and it is in disrepair," said township Trustee Keith Hochadel. "It hasn't been maintained to what it should be. I think we are asking for a little bit of assistance when we receive it."

Township officials say the cemetery is littered with dead or dying trees. Canton Township officials estimate it will cost at least $25,000 to remove the dead trees.

Also, township officials say the gravel road leading into the cemetery must be enhanced, and a loop is needed for vehicles to be able to turn. Cost is estimated at $5,000.

State law does not allow county-owned cemeteries

Stark County officials say there are no provision in state law that permits counties to own and operate cemeteries. State law says cemeteries must be operated by municipalities, townships, associations and religious organizations.

"The legal reality is there is no such thing as a county cemetery," said Brant Luther, Stark County administrator. "I think it was one of those things that no one was paying attention to. Somehow, the county was taking care of it. Nobody is pointing fingers at anyone. There is no hostilities. This is one of those scenarios where the Ohio Revised Code dictates what we should do. The county really doesn't have any authority to own or take care of a cemetery."

Hillcrest Cemetery sits just east of the Multi-County Juvenile Attention System buildings. 

"They are supposed to survey it off and split the parcel," township Trustee Mark Shaffer said. "They told us they were not going to mow it anymore. We believe it needs to be maintained up to our standards. The grounds and facilities are in need of upkeep. That burden shouldn't be put on township taxpayers. We didn't ask for it. No one was shopping for the cemetery. It is kind of a sad situation, the condition of that."

Township trustees prefer Stark County officials correct the maintenance issues in Hillcrest Cemetery rather than leaving it for Canton Township to handle.

"I don't believe the commissioners have met to discuss this yet," township Trustee Christopher Nichols said. "There is no update on it yet."

Nichols works as director of management and budget for Stark County commissioners. 

No one is saying when the county officially will break the cemetery off from the juvenile detention facility grounds.

"I don't know the exact acreage yet," Nichols said. "This is not going to create any revenue for us. We haven't decided if we are going to allow any more burials."

Reach Malcolm at 330-596-0326 or malcolm.hall@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @mhallREP.