West Side Cemetery gets spruced up

Two weeks ago Geneva First Ward Alderman Sam Hill asked for help from volunteers to help spruce up West Side Cemetery.

Tuesday, some of that work was done, with Hill pitching in to clean up.

People were trimming and pulling weeds. Planting flowers could be next.

Hill said earlier this month the city’s budget doesn’t allow enough to “properly maintain” its cemeteries, West Side and Oak Hill. It was pointed out the city takes in about $92,000 in fees for the cemeteries, but expects to have spent more than $105,000 on the cemeteries in the fiscal year that ended April 30.

West Side, a 15-acre site at Stevens and Second streets, is full. Oak Hill, at 799 Bennett St., is 29 acres and has room for more than 2,000 burials.

The burial fee used to be split between operations, perpetual care and new development. But the fee now goes entirely to operations.

“It is another opportunity to be a volunteer for your city,” Hill said, when asking for assistance in the cleanup efforts.

The next cleanup date is at 8:30 a.m. May 24. The group especially wants people to bring gasoline-powered or cordless string trimmers.

For more information, call Hill at (630) 208-9151.