Chestnut Ridge village officials are considering a resolution that could allow homeowners to bury human remains in their backyards with village approval.

The resolution has caused quite a debate in the village. Hilda Kogut, of the community group CUPON, says backyard burials would pollute waterways and lower home values.

Chestnut Ridge Mayor Sam Presti says residents opposed to the resolution are just “stirring the pot.”

Presti says residents who oppose the resolution are creating trouble because the village's resolution actually prohibits burials instead of permitting them. The resolution states backyard burials violate village code unless approved first by the planning board.

Rockland County spokesperson John Lyon says the resolution can be “read either way.”

“We're heard people say it looks like they're trying to prohibit, we've had people say it looks like they're trying to allow a process for it to happen,” says Lyon.

Lyon says the county is not pleased with the resolution and is monitoring the situation, adding there is no state law prohibiting backyard burials. Last year, a Chestnut Ridge mosque buried its imam on site with village approval.

The village clerk told News 12 that the resolution over backyard burials has been adjourned until further notice to give the village attorney time to research the issue.