Paving expected to be added to Rathdrum cemetery

RATHDRUM - Pinegrove Cemetery appears on its way to getting paved roads.

Lance Bridges, Rathdrum's parks and recreation director, tonight will seek the City Council's permission to accept bids to pave a portion of the historic cemetery.

"The paving of the roads has been a major priority for the cemetery board over the last five years," Bridges wrote in a memo to the council. "Paved roads would provide for better access for burials through the whole year, but particularly during the winter months. The aesthetics of the cemetery will improve with newly paved roads as well and provide defined areas for access."

With the exception of the main road in the middle of the 10-acre cemetery, which is chip sealed but needs to be improved, the roads are dirt.

"It would be a great addition and make it more user friendly for visitors," Bridges said of the paving proposal.

Bridges said the cemetery, which dates back to 1886, would be paved in stages with the first phase covering roughly a quarter of the site.

"It would be part of the continuing improvement program," said Bridges, adding that sprinklers have been installed in some areas and a new wrought-iron fence along the cemetery's front section on Highway 53 was added this spring.

The cemetery has more than $160,000 in maintenance funds for the project, which would come back to the council for final approval.

Bridges said if the price estimates come in low, staff may request that more roads be added to the program.

In other business, the council will discuss putting a franchise agreement with Kootenai Electric Cooperative in place as one currently does not exist.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at 8047 W. Main St. There are no public hearings.