Township Weighs Takeover of Union Cemetery to Allow Stone Repairs

Green Garden Township Board Meeting | Feb. 9, 2026

Article Summary: The Green Garden Township Board discussed the potential takeover of the abandoned Union Cemetery to facilitate headstone repairs. While a volunteer group currently maintains the grounds, they legally cannot restore damaged monuments without township oversight.

Union Cemetery Key Points:

• Current Status: The cemetery is currently maintained by a non-profit volunteer group, “Friends of Community Cemetery,” which cuts the grass and clears debris.

• The Problem: Volunteers are not legally permitted to clean or repair headstones on the abandoned property.

• Proposed Solution: The township would officially take over management, allowing certified volunteers to restore the monuments.

• Financials: The volunteer group voted unanimously to recommend the takeover and offered to transfer their remaining funds, totaling approximately $4,251, to the township.

Green Garden Township officials are considering assuming official management of the Union Cemetery to allow for the restoration of historic headstones.

During the Monday, February 9, 2026, meeting, Supervisor Dean Christofilos presented the board with two options regarding the abandoned cemetery. The first option is to maintain the status quo, where a 501(c)(3) volunteer group maintains the grounds. However, Christofilos noted that this limits the work to landscaping only.

“The disadvantage is that they can only cut the grass… What they cannot do is clean or repair the headstones even if they’re certified to do so,” Christofilos said.

The second option, which Christofilos recommended, involves the township assuming “care and control” of the cemetery. This would legally permit certified volunteers to clean and repair the aging monuments. The township’s insurance carrier indicated that taking over the property would not require additional insurance coverage as long as there are no buildings or roads involved.

The volunteer group, “Friends of Community Cemetery,” met recently and voted unanimously that township management is in the best interest of the site. They are prepared to transfer over $4,000 in funds to the township to assist with future maintenance costs.

“I do also feel it’s in the best interest of the cemetery and the township,” Christofilos said. “This is our township… We should be responsible for it.”

While the board expressed general support for the idea, they chose to delay a formal vote until the March meeting to allow for further review and to ensure a full board is present for the decision.