Cemetery memorial bench policy being examined

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tillsonburg council wrestled with a resident’s request to honour the price he was given for a memorial bench in 2022.

Paul Woods appeared before council, describing the situation in which he went to the cemetery office in 2022 to request a memorial park bench. He offered to pay at the time but was told he could pay the $2,373 cost when the bench arrived. He phoned the office in 2023 and 2024 and left a message, but there was no return call. When he talked to a cemetery employee last month, he was told the price would now be over $3,000.

“I realize prices are always going up, but when a person is given a price list from 2022, I would expect that would be the price to pay, not the price three years later,” he said, comparing it to a rain cheque.

Through questioning by council, Director of Parks and Recreation Andrea Greenway filled in some of the blanks, saying the supplier in 2022 didn’t come through with benches, and a new supplier has been found since. The 2022 price didn’t include the cost of the cement pad under the bench, or a 10 per cent maintenance fund, which is now included. Since 2022, 12 benches have been received and installed for other people. All paid the current price at the time, which is now $3,485.

Coun. Pete Luciani pointed out that since the town wouldn’t take Woods’ money, he now has to pay more.

“I personally don’t think it’s fair. I think he went in in good faith and thought he would pay that price,” he said, asking for a friendly amendment to the original motion to just accept the presentation as information and allow the 2022 rate. His amendment would have allowed the 2022 pricing for Woods.

Coun. Chris Parker, who made the motion, said he would allow that if it was added this was a one-time situation. He also suggested that if the wait list is caught up, people should be allowed to pay when they order a bench.

Coun. Kelly Spencer sympathized with the situation, but asked if the people who bought the other 12 benches would also want the same price.

“Then what is council going to do, do we do one-offs for everybody,” she asked. “This could be a dangerous precedent for the other 12 that got the same price in 2022 and paid 2024 prices.”

“It’s precedent setting that’s the scary part,” said Deputy Mayor Dave Beres, but added the caveat is this is one time.

Luciani agreed it was precedent setting, but he pointed out the others received their bench and it was installed.

“They did get their benches; they did get their service. Mr. Woods didn’t get his service,” he said.

Spencer questioned how many other people hadn’t received benches yet and suggested the issue be referred back to staff to determine this information. A motion was passed to refer the issue to staff to determine the number of benches sold and at what cost and to provide an update on the waitlist.