ANDOVER — Andover resident Steve Marston has a photograph of tire tracks on the Woodlawn West Access Cemetery on Route 5. Marston believes residents who live behind the cemetery are cutting a new road through it, likely because the other road gets too muddy for them. He added, “People who drive on the cemetery have no respect.”

The cemetery is an “annex” to the fenced Woodlawn Cemetery across Route 5.

For Marston, the issue is personal. Two of his children are buried at the cemetery that he says the Town of Andover has barely cared for except to mow since they began selling plots a few years ago. On a walk along a tree line, he points out the headstones under pucker brush and low hanging tree limbs.

Marston has been waiting nearly two years for 732 feet of fencing that is needed to enclose the cemetery.  The rest of the cemetery’s boundary is defined by the tree line and lilac bushes. He noted that when buying plots there is an added “perpetual care” fee, and he questions what the town has been doing with those funds.

Barrett Cosgrove from the State of Maine’s CDC Drinking Water Program has communicated with Marston several times about the issue. In a letter to the Town of Andover in July of 2024, Cosgrove wrote, “A burial ground must be substantially marked or enclosed with a fence of a permanent nature.”

Marston emphasized, “It’s state law. They have to contain that cemetery. What the town uses for fencing is up to them. And there has to be a site sign identifying the cemetery.”

Frustration

At a March 11 Select Board meeting, Marston expressed his frustration with the slow progress of the cemetery committee, specifically criticizing Chair Kim Perry, who was absent from the meeting. He told the board that after several calls to the State he wasn’t sure what else he could do. He plans to call the Maine Cemetery Association next.

Marston queried, “Maybe we need an Elon Musk in this town?”

“I’d like to make every decision for this town, but I don’t want to step on their [the Cemetery Committee’s] toes.” responded Select Board Chair Brian Mills.

Marston shot back, “It’s been a year and a half. Tell me how you feel about this? Are they doing their job? We’re still stuck in a ditch.”

Andover Treasurer Amber Cooper, referring to her notes, said the fence design had been approved and temporary boulders along the adjacent road had been accepted.

Select board member Justin Thacker acknowledged the slow pace, adding, “The good news is they have at least approved the design.”

Planning Board Chair Sid Pew clarified that the fence would be a three-and-a- half-foot black, chain-link fence, and the required sign, will match the one at Woodlawn Cemetery, across the street.

The 10-foot-wide entrance fence will cost under $3,000, so it shouldn’t have to go out to bid.

“I’m looking to get this done and over because our people down there deserve better,” said Marston.

The next cemetery committee meeting is on Wed., April 9 at 4:30.