Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia held a news conference today at Government Center to announce that John Perry, a Department of Public Works manager, has been named interim cemetery director.
Perry replaced Nancy Smith, who was acting in that position when workers removed around two hundred (200) ceramic planters in the form of flower boxes and urns from graves back in September. This latest cleanup further angered mourners who were already fuming over nonconforming items such as candles and silk flowers being removed from loved ones graves last spring and over the summer.
Correia said the removal of the ceramic planters was a “miscommunication.” He said the rules didn’t specify what types of planters were allowed in the cemetery, and workers were only following orders, including Smith, who reported to the board.
“We took immediate action,” Correia said.
Last week Smith resigned from her post, along with Board of Park Commissioners member Glenn Hathaway. Smith, however, will continue in her role as park director.
Correia’s announcement comes one day before the City Council Fiance Subcommittee meets tomorrow night to discuss the one item on the agenda: The resolution regarding the removal of cemetery planter & urns from Oak Grove Cemetery (adopted, as amended 10-11-16).
Photo: Mayor Jasiel Correia II at podium; John Perry and far right Director of the Department of Public Works Adriano Ponceano.
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