To the editor:
The Merritt Village approval, which came late Tuesday night, Nov. 29, after the Planning & Zoning Commission hearing, was made with conditions which were to be released to the public as early as Nov. 30.
The Board of the New Canaan Historical Society has requested, and would like to receive, the document containing the conditions, since many are understood to relate to the historic Maple Street Cemetery, an “ancient burial ground,” according to state statutes.
Results from the second GPR (ground penetrating radar scan), completed in mid-November, contained at least two anomalies, which resulted in a soil test of Parcel P and surrounding area, prior to Thanksgiving. We would also like to know what resulted from this soil test. Were human remains, grave shafts, or other items found in this area?
According to State statutes, “Protection for Ancient Burial Places and Abandoned Cemeteries”:
With one exception, the law prohibits municipalities from using, or transferring to someone who will use, an ancient burial place for any purpose other than as a burial ground. Under the exception, municipalities may take an ancient burial place for public use, but only with the General Assembly’s approval (CGS § 19a-315a). As noted above, municipalities that acquire an abandoned cemetery cannot transfer it and must “maintain the characteristics of such cemetery and make no changes in the use of such cemetery land” (CGS § 19a-308a).
The above dated November 10, 2016, from the Connecticut General Assembly, from [this document].
The Maple Street Cemetery is an important part of New Canaan’s history, and we hope to see it protected, maintained, and preserved.
Regards,