SKOWHEGAN — The Skowhegan Select Board has approved a $570 donation to the Daughters of the American Revolution to repair headstones and statues that were destroyed during a series of vandalism incidents in Southside Cemetery.
Town Clerk and Treasurer Gail Pelotte said at last Tuesday’s Select Board meeting that the funds will be drawn from the town’s cemetery maintenance capital reserve fund, which stands at $56,000.
She said the goal is to get the 47 stones repaired by Memorial Day, which is May 25 this year.
“It’s sad,” Pelotte said. “One whole section, all the gravestones in that one lot, just knocked right over.”
The Skowhegan Police Department announced April 30 that, following an investigation, Christian Newton, 28, of Skowhegan had been arrested in connection with the cemetery vandalism.
The Police Department believes others were involved, and the investigation is ongoing.
“This needless destruction is unacceptable and damaging to the community. I urge the remaining parties to clear their conscience and turn themselves in,” Chief David Bucknam wrote on Facebook. “We will not rest until this investigation is closed. I am also calling on our citizens — if you have any information as to the destruction of the cemetery headstones, please reach out to the Skowhegan Police Department at (207) 474-6908.”
Select Board Chair Whitney Cunliffe said the damage was disheartening, but the response from firefighters and volunteers stood out.
“I was really glad to see the Fire Department go out there and work on it. There was a bunch of volunteers as well,” Cunliffe said. “It’s a shame when this happens. I don’t know what drives people to do it, but I’m glad there’s good people out there willing to fix it.”
