Storm Causes Significant Damage to Acton Cemetery in Townshend

Around 30-40 white pines uprooted which damaged a stone wall and some grave sites.

A recent storm led to extensive destruction at Acton Cemetery, with 30 to 40 white pine trees being uprooted. The incident, which took place on Thursday, April 16, coincided with reported tornado activity in nearby Williamstown. Following the storm, a member of the Townshend Cemetery Commission, Charlie Marchant, observed that approximately three-quarters of an inch of rain fell within a span of 20 minutes.

Marchant characterized the phenomenon as a possible microburst impacting the northern section of Townshend. He indicated that substantial effort would be needed to clear the fallen trees from the cemetery, although he noted that the damage has not caused significant excitement among town officials, as the situation is quite chaotic.

The cemetery, which is situated on Simpson Brook Road, is under the town's ownership, and the commission typically sets aside funds for maintenance. However, Marchant emphasized that the financial resources are primarily designated for routine upkeep like mowing, not for the removal of numerous large trees.

Despite the damage, he pointed out that a tall stone wall on one side of the cemetery helped to prevent the trees from crashing down directly onto graves. Nevertheless, he estimated that six to eight stones were dislodged but remained intact, while several fallen trees disrupted gravesites in the cemetery.

Communication about the storm came from a neighbor who was blocked by fallen trees, prompting them to drive to Marchant's residence to report the damage. Marchant speculated that around 100 trees had fallen within the surrounding neighborhood. He proposed that the town might want to file a claim with the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, as the fallen trees were not located on cemetery property.

He also mentioned that the cemetery layout lacks a formal plot plan, making the arrangement appear somewhat random. According to Marchant, the earliest burials in Acton Cemetery date back to the early 1800s.