Next Historic Cemetery Cleanup Planned for June

After a successful effort cleaning up several historical cemeteries in May, the East Greenwich Historical Cemetery Commission is planning another cleanup for more cemeteries on June 21.

"While specific cemeteries haven’t officially been identified, and won’t be until the commission’s next meeting on June 3, we are reaching out to the public now for your help," said Jason Beaumier of the commission.

Volunteers are needed to pitch in to help remove trash, lawn and garden debris and potentially participate in some minor construction work. If you can help, send an email to commission Vice Chair and Volunteer Coordinator ML Formisano at mlformisano@cox.net.

"Don't feel overwhelmed about this endeavor, you will be in a group setting and you will not be assigned anything that is beyond your skill level, a majority of the work will be simply raking and trimming, with Commission members doing more of the 'heavy lifting', so don't let the term 'cleanup' intimidate you, we will treat you well," Beaumier said.

East Greenwich is home to 91 historic cemeteries. That means most EG residents live in walking distance to at least one. It also means the commission's cleanup efforts will likely continue long past the June 21 cleanup date, so the need for volunteers will exist then as well as now.

In a release, the commission said: So even if this date does not work for you there will be plenty of future cleanups in the so eventually we will get to one closer to you or have a cleanup on a date that fits into your schedule.  Better yet, for you ambitious folks, you don’t have to wait for us to target a cemetery that you want cleaned, or wait for one of our official cleanups.  Since the formation of the commission one resident has begun rehabilitating a cemetery on her property with guidance and input from the commission and Boy Scout John Condon and his troop have begun the process of rehabilitating Historical Cemetery 47 at the intersection of Middle Road and Howland.  In addition, the Republican Town Committee has adopted Cemetery #6  in Stone Ridge and have put in a significant amount of time and effort in raising its condition level. So if there’s one near you that you want to target we can provide guidance and assistance in the matter and provide you with all the information you need.

The East Greenwich Historic Cemetery Advisory Commission was formed in December 2013 and is tasked with restoring and rehabilitating the 91 area historic cemeteries, amongst other duties, including raising public awareness. Consisting of five members appointed by the Town Council we are happy to serve the town and look forward to future cleanups and to continue the process of getting these cemeteries back into the condition they belong in.