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PLAINS TWP. — The troubled Good Shepherd Mausoleum was once again a topic of discussion at the regular Board of Commissioners meeting.
The mausoleum gained attention last June when the township taped it off after an inspection deemed the structure to be unsafe. The problem has persisted for the better part of two decades prior to this, and despite several changes in ownership, has never been addressed.
Al Panatieri, whose father’s remains rest there, and who has several family members with reserved crypts, was three days from transferring his father’s remains to a new location when it was closed.
At Thursday’s meeting, the township Solicitor Stephen Menn explained that the township is open to allowing parties to remove bodies or shore up the mausoleum so long as the township is exempt from all legal and financial responsibilities as neither the mausoleum nor the cemetery are owned by the municipality.
Several commissioners supported the notion of creating a waiver that would allow individuals onto the property so long as the township is not held responsible in the event of damage or harm.
Menn would not say whether or not such an arrangement could be made, noting that he would prefer to speak to the commissioners in an executive session before making any public comment on the matter. Panatieri, however, said that he would gladly sign any waiver and had no concerns about entering the mausoleum.
Menn also pledged his efforts to help contact property owners, legal representatives and possibly to even obtain court orders if necessary.
Also on Thursday, it was announced that the township will hold a Trunk or Treat event at the Plains Township Municipal Park on Oct. from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.
The board will hold its next regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 12.