A bill to expand the island’s only public cemetery received support during Monday’s legislative session, although senators included amendments to address criticisms raised during the bill’s public hearing.
Earlier this year, senators were told the Vicente A. Limtiaco Memorial Park – also known as Tiguac Cemetery – was running out of room.
Bill 49-38 would transfer a lot from the village of Piti to the Department of Parks and Recreation for the expansion.
However, Piti Mayor Jesse Alig testified at the May hearing that the cemetery is poorly maintained, and without a management plan, he was opposed to the expansion.
Sen. Chris Barnett noted the mayor’s criticisms during session Monday.
“If you go up there to Tiguac Cemetery, it almost seems like there was never a plan in the first place,” Barnett said. “I don’t think anyone in here who has been up to that cemetery would say that, you know, it was designed well, it was thought out.”
Senators moved the bill to the voting file, along with amendments requiring a master plan.