Ridgefield Press,
Nov. 2, 2006 — The four-acre stretch of grass and graves known as
Mapleshade Cemetery now belongs to the Town of Ridgefield.
Mapleshade lies in the northeast corner of a 14-acre cemetery that fills the triangle bordered by North Street, Mapleshade and North Salem Roads.
Two weeks ago, the Scott family - which managed the cemetery
privately for many years - officially donated the property to
Ridgefield.
In the last two weeks nearly 200 plots have been "laid out" in
Mapleshade, and they are now for sale. The money raised from the sale
of the plots will be used to establish a maintenance fund.
Single plots cost $1,200, which will include "perpetual care," said
Graveyard Committee member Jeanne Timpanelli. "Cremains" are also
available - they cost is $500, "because those are smaller."
Ms. Timpanelli said the town will manage the graveyard, and
"guidelines will be made."
"We are still working out the arrangements," she said.
Whether to discount the sale of multiple plots has not been decided,
she said.
Mapleshade Cemetery was managed for years by members of the Scott
family, particularly by the brothers Edward and Sidney Scott, Ms.
Timpanelli said. After their deaths, the family decided to donate the
cemetery to the town.
The Graveyard Committee has worked hard to help get the town ready
to take over the management of Mapleshade, Ms. Timpanelli said.
They
hosted several unusual "open houses," seeking relatives of plot
holders.
Also, "two members of the town's Graveyard Committee, Susan Law and
Nancy Selander, have spent hours trying to reconstruct the records of
burials in Mapleshade," Ms. Timpanelli said. "The record keeping was
poor. They've reconstructed quite a complete record now.
The database of cemetery records is being kept at the Ridgefield Historical
Society, which is serving as a sort of headquarters for the
Graveyard Committee.
"
Ms. Timpanelli said she is delighted the town has now taken
ownership of the burial grounds.
"
It's been a long process," she said. "I think it can be a real asset
to the community."
A plaque on one of the entrance pillars to the cemetery will
commemorate the Scott family's gift, she said.
The cemetery will be managed by the town, not the Graveyard
Committee, she said.
Bill Bunkoci, who has "looked after" the
cemetery, will continue to maintain it, she said. "He will be the
sexton - he's agreed to do it," she said.
For the time being, to buy a plot in Mapleshade, contact Graveyard Committee Chairman Doug Clewell at 438-0537.