(a) In any town in which there is a burial ground or cemetery containing more than six places of interment that has been neglected and allowed to grow up to weeds, briars and bushes, or about which the fences have become broken, decayed or dilapidated, the selectmen of such town may cause such burial ground or cemetery to be cleared of weeds, briars and bushes, may mow the ground's lawn areas and may cause its fences or walls to be repaired and kept in orderly and decent condition and its memorial stones to be straightened, repaired and restored.
(b) No municipality or employee, officer or agent of a municipality shall be civilly or criminally liable for undertaking the care and maintenance of a burial ground or cemetery, as described in subsection (a) of this section.
(1949 Rev., S. 4719; P.A. 14-217, S. 204; P.A. 22-74, S. 6.)
History: Sec. 19-159 transferred to Sec. 19a-308 in 1983; P.A. 14-217 designated existing provisions as Subsec. (a) and amended same by deleting “annually”, adding provision re mowing lawn areas and making technical changes, and added Subsec. (b) re civil and criminal liability for undertaking care and maintenance; P.A. 22-74 amended Subsec. (a) by deleting “and not under the control or management of any currently functioning cemetery association,” and adding “, repaired and restored”, effective July 1, 2022.
Annotation to former section 19-159:
Cited. 168 C. 447.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 19a - Public Health and Well-Being
Section 19a-296. (Formerly Sec. 19-147). - Cemetery associations.
Section 19a-297. (Formerly Sec. 19-148). - Bylaws. Sexton.
Section 19a-299. (Formerly Sec. 19-150). - Trust funds for care of cemeteries.
Section 19a-300. (Formerly Sec. 19-151). - Funds for care of cemetery lots.
Section 19a-302. (Formerly Sec. 19-153). - Takeover of fund. Appointment of cemetery committee.
Section 19a-303. (Formerly Sec. 19-154). - Acceptance of legacy.
Section 19a-304. (Formerly Sec. 19-155). - Care of funds by towns.
Section 19a-305. (Formerly Sec. 19-156). - Probate Court may make allowance for care of lot.
Section 19a-306. (Formerly Sec. 19-157). - Cemeteries in adjoining towns.
Section 19a-307. (Formerly Sec. 19-158). - Sale of abandoned or unused lots.
Section 19a-308b. - Neglected cemetery account.
Section 19a-309. (Formerly Sec. 19-160). - Headstones at soldiers' graves.
Section 19a-311. (Formerly Sec. 19-162). - Inspection. Burial prohibited until certificate obtained.
Section 19a-313. (Formerly Sec. 19-161a). - Burials above ground restricted.
Section 19a-314. (Formerly Sec. 19-164). - Penalty.
Section 19a-315. - “Ancient burial place”, “burial ground authority” and “grave marker” defined.
Section 19a-315a. - Use of ancient burial place.
Section 19a-315b. - Protection of grave markers.
Section 19a-315c. - Maintenance of burial places.
Section 19a-315d. - Places and manner of burial. Exceptions. Penalty.