The Oxford Board of Aldermen approved spending $32K for an 807-foot fence to provide more privacy for visitors at Oxford Memorial Cemetery during the board’s regular meeting on Tuesday.

Last month, several residents who live near the cemetery attended a Board of Aldermen meeting, spearheaded by Drew and Jill Stevens, asking the aldermen to consider looking into ways to provide more privacy for those who live next to the cemetery and those who are visiting loved ones in the cemetery.

Two weeks ago, the Board approved getting quotes on a wood, shadowbox type of fence.

Special Projects Director Mark Levy presented three quotes to the Board on Tuesday. The lowest bid was for $32,280 from Top Rail Fence for an 8-foot high, treated pine, shadowbox fence that will run 807 linear feet. The wooden fence will be as close to the existing chain link fence as possible on the south side of the ditch.

In 2022, the city clear-cut the area along the cemetery border when a new concrete drainage ditch was built to fix erosion issues.

The city planted green giant arborvitae trees along the fence; however, they were only about 3 to 4 feet high, although they are expected to grow to 40 to 50 feet which could take several years.

Once the trees grow and can provide enough of a buffer, the wooden fence can be taken down.

Drew Stevens said he was glad to see the city moving forward.

“The Board’s unanimous and swift action here on behalf of Oxford citizens, both past and present, is laudable,” he said. “Specifically, the unwavering leadership of aldermen (Brian) Hyneman and (Rick) Addy, represents the absolute best of us.”