Financially strapped Rutland cemetery will remain open

RUTLAND, Vt. (WCAX) – Rutland’s Evergreen Cemetery is staying alive with a gift of life from a new board of trustees.

The 163-year-old cemetery has faced financial challenges and back in March the board announced it would fold June 1 after the city didn’t want to pick up the extra yearly expense.

However, plot holders voted in a new board of trustees earlier this month and have started brainstorming ways to fundraise more money. Board officials say they have also had lots of volunteers offer help to maintain the old plots.

“Moving forward, we’re checking out finances, how we can make sure no mistakes don’t happen like they did in the past. But again, it’s a lot of positive energy with people and I’m very impressed with what the board’s been doing,” said Rutland City Cemetery Commissioner Tom Giffin. “People are very interested in making sure the cemetery is solvent and does have enough finances to maintain what we have.”

The new board will have more information on the plans for the cemetery later in June.