WATERFORD — Work has begun to stabilize the historic archway entrance to the Elm Vale Cemetery.

“We’re going to start digging next week,” said James Long of James M. Long and Sons of Waterford, who has been contracted to do the work for a cost not to exceed $12,142.

Bill Haynes, a member of the Elm Vale Cemetery Committee and town cemetery superintendent, said the project was necessary to repair rotted bases on the south entrance. It is one of two archways marking the entrance to the cemetery on Sweden Road. The project will stabilize the structure while officials determine how much more money will be needed for the restoration work.

Long said the northern entrance was repaired about 12 years ago and although it leans slightly, it is in fairly good shape. The identical southern archway, which is about 23 to 28 feet tall and 24 feet wide, is the newer of the two archways.

Haynes said he believes the archways were constructed around 1890.

Long said black tarp and hay bails have been laid around the entrance for insulation to keep the ground soft throughout the cold weather so workers can dig.

He said he and his crew will first excavate the ground after putting wooden cribbing up for support, and then pour concrete footings using rebar with corrugated exterior to grip the cement. Steel plates will be welded into the rebar and set in the concrete and bolted to the large beam holding up the sides of the archway.

“We’ll get it plumb and work on the facade this summer,” he said.

Long said he will submit specifications to the Board of Selectmen this winter for vinyl siding to repair the exterior. The siding will last for years without painting or rotting, he said.

The cemetery is the burial site of Charles Farrar Browne, better known as Artemus Ward, the 19th century humorist and contemporary of Mark Twain. Browne passed away in England in 1867 and was taken to Maine in a metal casket that was put on a horse-drawn, two-seated spring wagon for the ride to the cemetery, according to a 1915 newspaper article about Browne.

In March, annual town meeting voters will most likely be asked to approve appropriating money for repairs.

ldixon@sunjournal.com