MERIDEN, Conn. -- Many headstones at East Cemetery are tilted or toppled, said Gary Shamock.

He said he’s making it his goal to clean the mess up. He said he doesn’t blame the city, which budgets $5,000 each year for the cemetery budget.

"How can one person come here and take care of this?" asked Shamock. "I don’t know where to start."

Some of Meriden's most prominent citizens are buried in the cemetery, said library historian Jan Franco.

"If I could just start in the center here, that’s what I’ll do," said Shamock.

However, he said he does need help. To volunteer to help with the project, interested parties can call Shamock at 203-619-4354.