HARWICH – Voters at the May town meeting in Harwich could decide the fate of land for a proposed pet cemetery.
Harwich selectmen were informed last month that through a multi-step process, it would be possible for the board to re-establish its control of land on Queen Anne Road planned for the development of a pet cemetery.
However, the Cemetery Commission, which supports building the cemetery, may not let that happen. Selectmen would need to get consent from the commission as well as a two-thirds vote at the annual town meeting to regain control of the property.
According to Town Counsel John Giorgio, if town voters decide to reverse the project, a majority vote to no longer use the property would then be needed by the commission.
“There was a town meeting vote that essentially dedicated this land as a pet crematory and pet burial ground,” Giorgio said.
“In 2016, town meeting by a two-thirds vote voted to dedicate this land as a pet cemetery. That vote is what I call, ‘self-executing.’ As soon as that vote took place the land was transferred to the custody of the cemetery commissioners and was held for a pet crematory and a pet cemetery.”
Giorgio adds that to allow the Board of Selectmen to sell the land, a town meeting authorization would also be needed.
At the May town meeting, voters will act on two additional articles related to the pet cemetery. One article would appropriate construction funds while the other would establish the Harwich Pet Memorial Gardens and Walking Park Fund.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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