HANCOCK – A group of Hancock residents brought their concerns to the Hancock City Council regular meeting Wednesday about a former cemetery property they think is in danger from development.

During the public comment period before the start of the agenda items, Paul Campbell, representing the Friends of the Quincy Mine Cemetery, said because there is a plan by current owner Jon Julien to sell the five-acre parcel on Ingot Street, the fact it was a cemetery needs to be acknowledged.

“It’s very important for the owner of the property to be careful with human remains on the site,” he said.

Campbell said he’s concerned that in his advertising for the property, Julien doesn’t explain its history.

“With the real estate advertisement, there is no notice there is a cemetery on the site,” he said.

Campbell suggested to the council that a committee of concerned residents and members of the city council be created to determine how the remains in the cemetery should be dealt with.

“We as a community have been kicking this can down the road for quite a while,” he said. “Isn’t it time we, as a community, pick up this can and do what is right?”

Also speaking about the cemetery was Bob Wareha, who said a relative of his is buried there and he is concerned about what is going to happen at the site.

Former City Council member John Haeussler said he thinks it’s unethical the real estate listing for the property doesn’t indicate it is a former cemetery.

Haeussler said the site shouldn’t be split until a thorough study of it is done.

“To actually split that property would be a huge error,” he said.

Since the cemetery issue wasn’t on the agenda, council members didn’t take a vote on it, but during council comment period at the end of the meeting, Mayor Lisa McKenzie said the issue is one that needs further review.

“I can’t disagree with you,” she told those who came to speak about the site.