Cemetery experiences budget woes, rising costs


MONTE VISTA— Volunteers from the Monte Vista Cemetery Association gathered this weekend for a cemetery cleanup before the snow flies. Their goal was to pick up trash and old flowers that weren’t resting in designated memorial zones, which are typically on concrete or marble areas beside or near headstones. Memorial items left on the grass make mowing difficult, and old items left in the cemetery all winter long create a messy and more cumbersome cleanup in springtime.
The cleanup crew collected about 10 bags of trash and weathered flowers that they drove to the San Luis Regional Landfill outside of town. The association will consider donating flowers and other items still in decent shape to Kid’s Connection or one of the local nursing homes for craft projects after the next cemetery clean up, said association president Kathleen Ellithorpe,       
At the association’s board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 2, the recent project to update a map of the cemetery was discussed. About 75 percent of the project was completed by university students working with the Adams State Cares program. Cemetery association volunteers will head back sometime this fall to complete the map, aimed at increasing the accuracy of grave locations. The association will also integrate the updates with an early cemetery map and add the information online to sites such as Findagrave.com.
The increasing cost of water and energy dominated much of the association’s discussion at the meeting.
This year, utilities (less the water-pump fee) cost the cemetery more than $2,500. “And that’s with minimal watering,” said office manager Kay Harmon. “Water rights have cost an additional $1,013 annually for the last two years, and the pump was $4,587 in 2017.
The historic cemetery---which is a volunteer-based nonprofit---is facing even higher costs alongside a shrinking budget. “Water is the money gobbler at the cemetery,” said Ellithorpe, “and it will continue to be even more so when the new water subdistrict kicks in.” In 2016 and 2017, the association received two generous donations from the Alcott Foundation to help cover water, utilities and maintenance. “That money is now gone and we simply don’t get a lot of donations.”
Last fall, Ellithorpe approached Subdistrict #2 of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District to ask for a break for the cemetery as a nonprofit, “like to cap our cost,” she said. “They flat out denied it.” She also appealed to SLVREC for a break on the latest pump bill but were turned down.
Ellithorpe recently approached the main Rio Grande Water Conservation District and filled out a form requesting funding from the district to help with water costs. “We asked for a little under $10,000, which might cover next year’s water and pump bill,” Ellithorpe said. “It’s a yearly request and a yearly decision, and the water district has many requests.”
The water district will make its decision in December.
Another cost-saving option is to begin landscaping with native, drought-tolerant vegetation such as blue flax, rabbitbrush, wild rose, sage and gooseberry. “But that will take time and need to be done in sections,” Ellithorpe said. The change would also expensive unless the association can find funding for the project.  
Other topics discussed included the mistaken placement two years ago of someone whose family wanted her placed on the side of her husband where she had slept. The mistake occurred under the leadership of a former employee, and the association has since offered to pay for the internment of the body for correct placement. However, the family does not want her moved. The association is currently working toward an amicable resolution by the end of the year. Whatever the solution, it’s likely the association will have to pull funds from its already stretched-thin budget.
Upcoming projects the association will be working on include the formation of an informal district of county cemeteries that aren’t privately owned or church sponsored, like the little worker’s cemetery to the west of Monte Vista Cemetery and the San Luis Valley and Rock Creek cemeteries. The goal would be for the cemeteries to be supported to some degree by the county. “Something like this could really help these cemeteries which have significant historic value,” Ellithorpe said.
Many of Monte Vista’s founding families are buried in Monte Vista and other nearby cemeteries, like the Newcombs, members of the Henry family and the early settlers, Lillian Taylor Fassett and Chauncey S. Aldrich.
Ellithorpe discussed the possibility down the road for a columbarium, where cremated remains and name plaques could be placed for remembrance at a lower cost. Also brought up was the idea of a memorial wall for people who have had their ashes sprinkled. “Their family could have their name on a plaque, because it’s important for that name to be known,” said association member Laurie McClung.
The cemetery association is now looking ahead to fundraising season. Members are considering a Halloween gathering at the cemetery with cookies, hot cocoa and a fun movie at the chapel. They’re also considering sending donation letters to the community and another event around the Christmas holiday.


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