City will build new sexton's house

Florida Keys News - Key West Citizen

Thursday, December 27, 2012

City will build new sexton's house

Planner: New building to be larger, more dignified

BY GWEN FILOSA Citizen Staff
gfilosa@keysnews.com

At 50 years old and 800 square feet, the sexton's house that serves those who visit and manage the Key West Cemetery has run its course, according to city planners who expect to break ground on a newer, larger building in late spring.

"The sexton's house has to convey a sense of dignity, history, calmness and importance," said Planner Don Craig. "This is the sexton's house for one of the largest historic cemeteries on the East Coast."

At 165 years old, the island city's cemetery comprises 19 acres in the center of Old Town and is the final resting place of at least 75,000 souls.

The new sexton's house, a 1½-story, 1,521-square foot building, is due for completion in the fall, said Craig, with a price tag of about $350,000. It will provide enough storage space for all cemetery records, which are now stored at a couple different city offices.

But the expected good looks of the design remain important, too, said Craig.

"These are signature pieces; it has to be simple, direct and clean," he said. "It's understated, to convey that sense of respect."

Having already been approved by the Planning Board and the Historic Architectural Review Commission, the project awaits the final stamp of the City Commission in January. RIC BUSH/The Citizen|The current office of Sexton Russell Brittain is 800 square feet; plans for the new structure call for 1521 square feet.

Craig said the present sexton house, the office of Russell Brittain, looks like a small house or a large storage building.

Others are quite blunt about the modest building with the window air-conditioning units that sits at the corner of Angela and Margaret streets.

"It's decrepit," said Cynthia Edwards, a volunteer with the Friends of the Key West Historic Cemetery Committee. "It's way too small. You have to walk sideways to get around."

Designed by architect Michael Miller, the new sexton's house will provide storage in the attic -- about 700 square feet -- along with about 824 square feet for an office, bereavement room and attic storage.

The new building, at 20 feet, 6 inches tall, is modeled on a Georgian style with a centered front portico held by Tuscan columns, according to the city staff report.

A ramp that complies with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act has also been proposed.

gfilosa@keysnews.com

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C'mon, really, what else did

Submitted on Fri, 12/28/2012 - 8:58pm by david2009

C'mon, really, what else did you expect around here?

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cemetery disrepair

Submitted on Fri, 12/28/2012 - 12:57pm by huh?

I have no idea what the job description is for the Sexton or what the scope of those duties are. However, until recently I have not heard any bad comments after the Frances Street gate issue. Let me say this about Russell please. Russell Brittan is a good man, Russell is a family man, Russell is a proud man and I have known him, and known of him, since high school. I am on the mainland now. This character assassination is unnecessary. Unless you know exactly what the position description for the job is, stop with the bad talk please. In this crazy world where people sue other people and even cities over nothing, we do not know why things are the way they are with the cemetery. I can assure you that Russell did not simply make up the rules that he is bound to uphold as he went along from day to day. There is a large problem with the family plots in the cemetery looming and it will have to be addressed eventually and sooner would be better. There must have been 5 or 6 generations of Conchs that lived and worked on Key West over the last 150 years or so from 1822 through 1970. A large number of these Conchs stayed on the island as it grew and was developed. They also took care of and maintained their own family plots for many generations. Then, for many valid reasons, these Conchs departed for the mainland during and after the 1970s. They were no longer available to do the maintenance and upkeep on their family plots and many plots became derelict. Should the taxpayers be forced to pay for the needed upkeep? Probably not. Should the families that own the plot be tracked down and forced to pay? Probably not. Most are deceased themselves by now too or unable to do what is needed for many valid reasons. Like it or not, something will have to be done and the City - that is spelled taxpayer - will be burdened with finding and executing a solution to the task. I personally do not know what a good recommendation is. The people of Key West, Conch or not, have always been a generous group when it comes to fundraising to assist needy people in other States and Countries. How about a fundraiser from time to time to gather up resources like cash, labor, material donations, and such, to make the Key West Cemetery the beautiful respectful place it deserves to be known as. Put your heads, thoughts, and opinions together, the answer is out there.

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Won't help now

Submitted on Sat, 12/29/2012 - 1:51am by itsabouttime

but the next generation(s) won't have to mow my grass...I'll be scattered!!

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Prisoners

Submitted on Fri, 12/28/2012 - 7:50am by Mr B

Bring some of the prisoners to do the clean up of the cemetery which does need lots of work

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AGREE

Submitted on Fri, 12/28/2012 - 4:01am by Deep

This entitled suckerfish was the one who closed the gates last year and it took a private citizen's effort and money to win against it in Court. I know how he runs his family. He needs to resign.

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The Cemetery is not fit for the dead

Submitted on Thu, 12/27/2012 - 9:27am by Exasperated

The cemetery is a mess. It is overgrown with weeds. Roads are hideous to drive and the Sexton Russell Brittan is so rude and not helpful. I am sure the reason he works at the cemetery is he does not get any complaints from the people who lie there. The place should not be built until the cemetery is cleaned up. It is an embarrassment to say people can visit the cemetery when it is so disgusting. Russell you deserve an “F” for the way you talk to people and the way the cemetery is kept. CLEAN IT UP. Mayor Cates, if you read these go look for yourself.

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I was researching family

Submitted on Fri, 12/28/2012 - 12:17am by just us conchs

I was researching family graves, and even though Russell found the index card and it had the grave number and plot number, he could only point and say go towards the fence near that telephone pole and look. I never could find any of the graves I was looking for as most are unmarked and Russell didn't even know where to look and was not very helpful. When I complained about all the stickers and overgrown grass, Russell says he cannot mow or clean up the cemetary because the graves are PRIVATE PROPERTY and he has to get in touch with the families who who own the plots (who are all probably DEAD TOO). All he can maintain is the common areas roads. Have you ever heard of anything so STUPID!

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Sexton's House

Submitted on Fri, 12/28/2012 - 8:51pm by Key West Conch

I would like to say that, I was born and raised in Key West and have many family members in our cemetery. I have known Mr. Britton for many years and have found him to be informative, knowledgeable, and polite on my every visit. I think that Mr. Britton is an honorable man who takes his job very seriously. In case anyone does not realize this...Mr. Britton works at the cemetery he has to adhere to the rules that govern his job. Mr. Britton does not decide the mechanics of the cemetery there are , city, state and federal laws that govern the functions of Key West cemetery. Why are you trying to make it sound like Mr. Britton makes these decisions. He is in fact carrying out the rules that are set forth for him to follow. And, to my knowledge that is exactly what he does do..carry out what he is intrusted to do. I have never had a bad experience with Mr. Britton in fact I know that without his help, I could not have found my Grandmothers Grave. I know of folks here in town who look to Mr. Britton on a regular basis for help and he is always available and willing to oblige. I also find it not in very good taste to bring the personal life of Mr. Britton into this discussion. And, there is a budget and honestly every time I have been to the cemetery there is grass mowing and tree trimming ect; going on. There are laws as I stated before that prohibit violating personal property and Mr. Britton was correct in his statement and if you find that stupid then you need to write your congressman or woman because that is a law. Most people who have family here go to the cemetery often to take care of our loved ones. And, how is it Mr. Britton's fault that the graves are unmarked? I and many of my Conch family think that Mr. Britton does an excellent job. Also, the new Sexton's House is not just for Mr. Britton it is for us the public and grave owners. This will make sure that the records are kept in good order and it will give us all a chance to have documents that will be there when our children and grand Children need information. It is also for the historians and those interested in some of the deceased that are in our cemetery. I wish that people would read the laws and understand the logistics for before you are so quick to criticize. I give a thumbs up for our City Officers, Mr. Britton and our most interesting home of our dear departed family that are laid to rest in the best place in the world. Wonderful Key West Florida - Home of The Conch's