Oakhill Cemetery Superintendent granted approval for open burn

Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 3:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

Mike Collins, Director of Oakhill Cemetery in Plymouth, was granted permission to do an open burn by the Board of Public Works and Safety this week.

Collins spoke during Monday’s meeting and said the severe weather the county experienced on March 31^st and May 2^nd caused six trees in the cemetery to uproot. He noted that numerous other trees had large branches torn from their trunks.

Employees have work to clear much of the debris, and Collins said local Boy Scout Troops 257 and 3257 also came out and helped pick up the storm-damaged debris. The superintendent said they will be working on the rest of the trees as time allows.

Cemetery employees routinely pick up twigs and branches from the cemetery grounds and pile them up. Over time, that pile grows, and typically, once or twice a year, the superintendent seeks approval for an open burn.

Collins will watch the weather and pick the appropriate time to conduct the burn. He will notify the county dispatch center and the Plymouth Fire Department before the burn.