Masonic Cemetery is undergoing renovations

FALLBROOK – For the benefit of everyone who has a loved one in the Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery and to the community in general, the Masonic Cemetery Board of Directors and management wants to provide a brief update and description of the work now being done at the cemetery as well as information on the estimated completion.

Much of the older sections of the cemetery known as Elm I and II, Babyland, and Smelser, are being renovated to improve both the appearance and long-term serviceability of the grounds overall.

At this time the replacement of the irrigation lines and water saving sprinklers has been completed and the new well is installed and functioning. The area of Elm II has been reseeded and finished.

Up to this point the work had been done in-house while simultaneously caring for the rest of the cemetery maintenance and internment services. The board had hoped to have this completed much sooner, but several challenges including the drought last summer, the installation of a new well, limitations in water use, the condition of the existing soil, among other things, have prolonged the completion date.

Bids are now being received to contract out the remaining work tasks for conditioning the ground and planting the groundcover for the sections mentioned above. They expect to award the work the first week in June and all tasks should be completed this summer.

This will include raising and leveling headstones markers where needed and removing all existing flower cups in poor condition. The cemetery is not responsible for the replacement of flower cups removed due to deterioration.

The board sincerely apologizes for the delay in the completion of the work to everyone affected and wants to assure everyone that they have taken steps to conclude all remaining work very quickly.

They want everyone concerned to know that during the work, every gravesite will be individually cleaned and/or weeded each day. Signs will also be posted identifying the areas under renovation. They will also post progress reports on the bulletin board at the cemetery and will provide regular updates weekly on their Facebook page.

A board representative said, "We regret that we could not complete the necessary work sooner, but we believe that we have a plan in place now that will ensure the timely completion of all of the remaining work without unnecessary delay. We sincerely appreciate the patience of everyone over the past few months and we are sure that the cemetery will be greatly improved by the work currently being completed."

Anyone wishing to contact the board of directors or management can stop by the cemetery office during business hours or email [email protected].