Editorial: Protecting Our Cemeteries (1990)

Greenwich Time, Greenwich, Connecticut
July 28, 1990

Tomac Cemetery, Old Greenwich. Image: August, 2014. 

When the oldest cemetery in town becomes a dumping ground for a developer's refuse, it's time to sound an alarm. What occurred at  Tomac Cemetery in Old Greenwich should not happen again, either there or elsewhere in town.

Tomac Development, which is building four homes near the historic burial ground, is taking responsibility for what appears to have been an inadvertent mistake. 

Someone working at the construction site dug a pit eight feet in diameter and dumped in rocks, sticks, lawn rackings and a fabric siltation fence. Though it's no excuse, the site of the pit is more than 60 feet from any visible headstones, and close to the property line of the work site.

To the credit of Tomac Development, its president, Gary Flyer readily owned up to the problem and agreed to pay for an archaeologist to sift through the rubble as the disturbed section of the cemetery is restored. Mr. Flyer also has agreed that no workers will enter the cemetery unless an archaeologist is present. It would have been better, however, if construction workers at the site had known not to trespass in the first place.

Our town's history is quite evident in the cemeteries and family burial grounds that are found throughout the community. The state also price itself in Connecticut's heritage, which is one reason that the penalty for desecration of a cemetery can be as severe as a $1000 fine and a years imprisonment. 

Tomac Cemetery is particularly special, however, because as the oldest in town it is the last resting place for 17 Revolutionary war soldiers and members of some of the founding families of Greenwich. But no cemetery should be used as dump inadvertently or otherwise.

As Greenwich begins its 350 a year, all in our community should be particularly aware of the rich history of our town. Those who contributed to our community during the past deserve our reverence and respect, as do the cemeteries in which they are buried. It is up to each of us to make sure the memory of these predecessors – and their graves – are honored, not sullied.