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Three of Marietta's City Council committees met Monday night including Public Lands and Buildings discussing human interments in yards as well as property intentions and landscape planning among other subjects.
Law Director Paul Bertram requested a Public Lands and Buildings committee meeting because it was brought to his attention by local funeral homes that a local man wishes to exhume his deceased wife from a Salem Township cemetery and bury her at his residence within city limits.
"Before now, we've never had this come up as an issue," said Bertram. "There is currently no law stating he can't do this, he has every right to do so and doesn't need a permit."
Bertram researched other various city ordinances for prohibiting these types of burials and found one that council would be easy to adopt.
The ordinance found by Bertram in summary states that no one shall bury a human body within 100 yards of a residential property other than in an existing public or private cemetery.
New Fourth Ward council member Erin O'Neill questioned if cremains were included in the ordinance.
Bertram stated that cremains were not specified in the ordinance he found but would be included in the ordinance they would be creating emergency legislation for approval at Thursday night's council meeting.
The committee further discussed that this should not be able to happen because of issues with hygiene and potential issues with the groundwater.
"The family has stated that they do not want this to happen," Bertram said.
"I do feel sorry for the man though, he seems to miss his wife dearly."
In another discussion, Bertram announced that another property, 115 Muskingum Dr., has been added to the three already considered for purchase, 914 Emerson St., 101 Oak St., and 708 Eighth St., and that he had announced to the county and stated their intent for the properties.
Bertram will be filing petitions for each of the properties separately Friday in time with their deadlines.
Public Lands and Buildings were also presented with a 2024 landscaping plan by Marietta Main Street Executive Director Jen Tinkler. The landscape plan spans from Putnam Street to Butler Street and Butler Street to Greene Street as well as landscaping in the parking lot, front, and side of the Armory. Tinkler also mentioned that the landscaping for all three projects is very easy to maintain.
"It's at least been 10 years plus since the last time we've done any landscape planning in these areas," said Tinkler. "We're going to be including business owner buy-in as well as asking for city help. Our number for the total of all three projects is $36,000 but asking for all of it is not realistic so we're asking for half of the Front Street project which is around $7,000 or $8,000."
The council committee discussed different ideas for funding and then decided on creating a resolution of support without deciding on a number and would come back to it within the new year with full discussion of funding.
Also discussed Monday night was Finance's 30 transfers and appropriations that will be included at this Thursday's regular council meeting and Employee Relations requesting legislation for the Teamsters contract.
Gretchen Dowler can be reached at gdowler@newsandsentinel.com