Dresden Cemetery storm clean-up cost nearly $25,000

A September storm caused nearly $25,000 in damage to the Dresden Cemetery.

Collin Mardling, supervisor for cemetery operations in Chatham-Kent, said “an extremely powerful storm” passed through the cemetery on the evening of Sunday, September 12, 2021.

“Numerous trees were uprooted and countless others suffered broken limbs,” Mardling said in a staff report.

“At least 24 monuments were toppled by falling trees and branches as well.”

Dresden Cemetery was closed to the public on Monday, September 13, 2021 due to the extensive damage and unsafe conditions throughout the site, Mardling said in his report.

“Many trees had hanging limbs over roadways and gravesites,” he said.

“The road within the cemetery was destroyed in several places due to uprooted trees, deeming the site impassible to vehicular traffic. A residential structure adjacent to the site had a tree from the cemetery resting on its roof.”

Localized parts of Dresden and Thamesville also received storm damage, which required all available Public Works resources to assist with cleanup, Mardling said.

“CK Tree Care (Wallaceburg) has provided arborist services to cemetery operations at Dresden and Riverview cemeteries over the past few years,” he said.

“They were contacted and able to provide immediate assistance to Dresden Cemetery in order to begin necessary cleanup. Work included the sectioning and removal of fallen trees, hanging limbs, and assessments of damaged trees. Once the immediate hazards were removed, more large mature trees had to be cut down due to extensive damage noted during the risk assessments.”

Mardling said once the contractor was able to clear roadways and remove the immediate hazards, Public Works crews from several garages were able to come in and assist with chipping of branches and debris, and large log removal to a central site.

“The site was deemed safe to vehicular traffic and reopened to the public on Friday, September 17, 2021,” Mardling said.

“Further cleanup work continued throughout the weekend. Memorial Restorations Inc. (Sarnia) is on contract with Cemetery Operations and came to Dresden Cemetery on September 27, 2021. The restoration crew worked throughout the week and was able to right, reset, and seal all fallen monuments. Many more bumped monuments were also addressed to ensure there were no remaining safety hazards caused by the storm damage.”

Damage to the roads was addressed by using fill and stones to provide a temporary repair that would allow unimpeded vehicular traffic, Mardling added.

“Dresden Cemetery is scheduled to receive a complete asphalt surface replacement in 2022, as part of an ongoing road replacement project in active municipal cemeteries,” Mardling said in his report.

“It was imperative to complete the work as safely and quickly as possible to ensure that visitors and funerals would not be disrupted. There were no funerals impacted or delayed by the storm damage thanks to the rapid response of contractors and Public Works staff.”

Mardling added: “Cemetery Operations was granted emergency authorization to complete the work by the General Manager of Infrastructure and Engineering Services.

The total emergency cost was $24,702.24.

Per Council’s purchasing policy, administration is required to provide an information report upon completion of the project.

Municipal Council received the information report at their virtual meeting held on Monday. November 8, 2021.

More background information and photos:

Damage caused & trees uprooted in the Dresden Cemetery

Storm damage in Dresden

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