MILLSBORO, Del.- Plans to potentially move a cemetery in Millsboro are on pause pending a family decision, according to Community Bank.
The bank recently secured county approval to develop a three-acre site at the intersection of Route 24 and Route 5 in Millsboro for a new branch. However, the discovery of a historical cemetery on the property has brought new challenges and considerations to light.
Initially, when the property was acquired, the bank says only one abandoned headstone in an overgrown section of the site was known to exist. Over a year later, during site clearing efforts, ten additional headstones, all buried and covered, were uncovered.
"Since May of 2022, we've been working on plans to build a branch, but just as importantly, be respectful of the cemetery and the people buried there," says Community Bank President Jack Riddle.
In a video update posted Wednesday January 3rd, Riddle noted that the future of the cemetery will be decided by the Lingo family, offering them the opportunity to take ownership of the cemetery and make the final decision regarding its relocation or preservation.
One option is moving the gravestones to another, better kept-burial site. But Riddle notes if the Lingo family decides to leave the cemetery where it is, the future bank construction will not harm it in the slightest.
"Please know that the location of the bank building is nowhere near the cemetery. They are separated by 500 feet," Riddle explains. "So if the Lingo family decides to leave the cemetery in its current location, it won't have any effect on the new bank."
Riddle says as of January 2nd, 2024, no final decisions have been reached by any of the parties involved. Community Bank Delaware encourages community members with questions or concerns to contact them directly at 302-226-3333.