It looks like any fencing work at the Clifford Cemetery will not happen until spring.
Clifford residents Georgie Hutchison and Sheldon Wolfe were at council recently on behalf of the Clifford and District Historical Society.
In their letter to council, they stated that “for many years, the main entrance to the Clifford cemetery off Highway 9 has been in a state of disrepair. The beautiful cemetery gates and iron fencing were donated by a private individual in 1947. By 1996, only the fences within the stone pillars remained.”
The fencing was replaced with black wooden latticework
However, by 2007, that latticework deteriorated to a point where it was held together with wire and string until last summer when town staff removed it completely.
“We would like to see the two small wrought iron gates and the fencing between the pillars replaced, including necessary repairs to the stone pillars.”
Hutchison said that on the whole, she is pleased with the way town staff have worked in Clifford since amalgamation.
“But I am not a person to stay uninvolved in the community.” After being told by one resident that the cemetery fencing was a disgrace, she went to see for herself.
Subsequently, she sent an email to Works Director Norm Fisk, and the failing latticework was removed.
Hutchison then took steps to find out what it would cost to have the fencing replaced. Her first try, at a regional hardware store, required three times, to get them to figure out where Clifford [or Minto] was located. The person then suggested the yellow pages, which directed her to an individual in Paisley.
At that point she received a quote of roughly $2,638 plus taxes. However, she learned that Brian Mayea, of Hawthorn Fann & Forge (RR3 Palmerston) also works with wrought iron. “It was someone I already knew.”
Mayea provided a detailed quote of what work could be done in addition to samples of his materials. She said “The ironwork at the cemetery entrance consists of twp gates and two fences using a design similar to the original ironwork installed in 1947. The fence runs were replaced in 1996 with black wooden lattice which has since been removed. We have asked for quotes on stationary rather than functional gates since the main driveway is always open.”
She agreed the quote was not a tendered process to specifications. She added that while the quote from Hawthorn was somewhat higher, she believed it should be seriously considered, based on more durable materials.
She pointed out the fencing material is solid – not hollow.
A local stonemason will assist with the installation to ensure the integrity of the existing stone pillars.
The $3,472 plus GST bid includes labor, but she said most of the cost is related to materials.
“We’d like this to last another 50 years down the road.”
After she’d received the bids, Hutchison went to the Clifford Historical Society,
Fisk agreed the stone pillars need work, but had doubts the work could happen within this year’s budget.
Work booked for this year included resetting of monuments.
Hutchison stated, “It is not as much a matter of money, but pride in the community.”
Treasurer Gord Duff said it could go into the spring budget.
Mayor David Anderson stated that if work is done on the pillars it should be done correctly. “It shouldn’t be just patchwork.”
However, instead of accepting the quote, Deputy-Mayor Judy Dirksen commented there was more than one individual in Minto operating a forge – and all should be given an opportunity to provide a bid.
Since the project would not happen until early next year, council’s decision was to defer the matter until spring.
