The county administration is requesting the County Council withdraw its proposal to eliminate the Cemetery Preservation Advisory Board after it drew opposition from cemetery preservationists.
Marsha McLaughlin, director of the county's Department of Planning and Zoning, said the administration submitted the bill because the seven-member board had not met since 2001. The board was created in 1993 to help the department compile an inventory of all the cemeteries in the county, a task she said was completed.
But given the opposition to the bill, McLaughlin said the administration decided to "pull it back and think about it more."
One of those opponents was Fred Dorsey, president of Preservation Howard County. Dorsey, who is one of the sitting board members, said he's pleased the administration has decided to request the council withdraw the bill.
"I think it sends a much better message about the administration's interest in preservation," he said. "I would hope that this would open up some dialogue with the Department of Planning and Zoning to talk about the board operating again and possibly enhancing the responsibilities of the board, which would make it a far more valuable asset to the community."
Dorsey suggested the board could help educate the community about how to preserve cemeteries and the importance of such maintenance. He said he hopes his term on the board is extended so he can participate in revitalizing the board.
McLaughlin said the administration has not yet decided to change the board's the function.
"We have to give it consideration," she said.
Council chairman Calvin Ball said he plans to support the administration's request to withdraw the bill.
"It's evident that there's an opportunity to continue the conversation about this entity," he said.