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Temple Hill Cemetery in need of financial assistance

GENESEO — Bob Kelsey, the trustee of the Temple Hill Cemetery Association Board of Directors, appeared before the Geneseo Village Board of Trustees tonight to ask for financial assistance.

According to Kelsey, the cemetery needs around $7,000 or $8,000 for a new lawn mower since the one they use now to mow the cemetery’s 15 acres is often in need of expensive repairs.

Temple Hill Cemetery gets its income from selling plots, which is slow, said Kelsey. The Board of Directors sent out a letter in the Penny Saver to Geneseo residents explaining their financial situation and ending in a donation form. The letter states that the Board serves without compensation and will continue to direct the cemetery without pay.

Kelsey told the Board that while many prominent historical figures were buried in the cemetery, his main concern was keeping the cemetery well-kept for those who currently had loved ones resting there.

The Board members agreed the cemetery is an important part of the community, as well as a focal point in the Village. However, Mayor Hatheway said he wasn’t sure the Board could legally help Temple Hill since they might be considered a private cemetery under the law. The Board can only financially help public cemeteries.

Mayor Hatheway told Kelsey he would have a couple Board members meet with the cemetery’s Board members and an attorney to see what could be done.

The Geneseo Town Board gave the association $3,000 at the beginning of the year. A week and a half after sending the letters out in the Penny Saver, Kelsey said they have raised $5,500.

Anyone who would like to donate to the cemetery may mail a check made payable to Temple Hill Cemetery Association at the following address:
Temple Hill Cemetery
Attn: Edith Matthews
P.O. Box 305
Geneseo, NY 14454