Cemetery fees are going up significantly after Blind River council approved a new set of user fees for town services at a special meeting held Monday evening.
Treasurer Sue Dent acknowledged that many of the fees will not be increased with the majority of the increases recommended coming in at about four per cent. The increases are part of council’s new approach contained in its service delivery plan.
The only exception was dramatic increases in some of the costs of burials at Woodland cemetery, owned and operated by the town. Those also raised concerns by residents who attended a public portion of the meeting.
Among the concerns raised by residents and Councillor Jim Dunbar were increases in interment charges and niche Columbarium costs to inter ashes.
The costs for cemetery plots will remain the same as in 2018 with land plots at $495 and perpetual plots at $330.
Opening and closing of a site will go from $450 to $550 for Monday to Friday for adult burials and go from $550 to $650 on Saturdays.
Weekday infant burials will go from $250 to $300 and Saturday burials will see an increase from $350 to $450.
Council was told the increases are meant to help cover the cost of having town employees working and machinery needed at a burial.
The cost to inter ashes will also go up with a top row placement for one going from $550 to $650 and for top row placement for two the cost will go up from $825 to $925. Other row placement costs will also go up $100 from the current charge depending on placement in the Columbarium.
Town CAO-Clerk Katie Scott told council that current charges do not cover the cost of operating the cemetery.
It was indicated the increased amounts are lower than charges levied in neighbouring municipalities.
Dent said the Columbarium contains 20 spaces for ashes. She noted that council purchased a Columbarium in 2018 at a cost of $12,000. It was estimated installation of the unit cost another $2,000.
Coun. Jim Dunbar said the increases “are a bit steep” based on charges in the $200 range in 2017.
“If we have to do a full burial and we have to rent machinery we’re not making any money,” Clerk Pam Walsh said.
Council voted 5-1 in favour of adopting the full slate of fees. Only Coun. Jim Dunbar voted against based on the fact the cemetery fees were in the motion to approve all the fees charged by the town. Only Coun. Steven Wells was absent from the meeting.