DPW Seeks Land, Funds for Cemetery Expansion as Repairs Near Completion and Columbarium Plans Advance

Cemetery expansion and the maximization of available space in that regard, remains a priority for the Department of Public Works as it prepares for another fiscal year. When the Department appeared before the Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance on Wednesday, Commissioner Derek Gabriel seized the opportunity to remind lawmakers of the importance of doing so, particularly in the St. Thomas/St. John district.  “Conversations with property owners are ongoing, but funding will be necessary,” he said.  Senator Marvin Blyden, who has “linked” DPW with a land owner for prospective cemetery expansion, sought an update. “We've been speaking to a couple different landowners about acquiring space that they have,” Mr. Gabriel explained. Responses, however, have been “hot and cold.”  “In the last, I would say, six months, we've gotten some renewed interest from one of the property owners. So we are ongoing. But again, even once we are able to work with Property and Procurement to neg...