Posted on September 7, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson Town Council members received an update about the potential expansion at Highland Cemetery when they met Tuesday night.
Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe first brought this matter to the attention of the council back in May when he alerted them that there were only about 12 to 20 available plots remaining.
Property owner Marie Bullis had an informal discussion with Rowe in June where she expressed an interest in selling a portion of her property for the town to use for an expansion project.
Initially, she was offering to sell about 75 percent of an acre located to the west side of the cemetery. However, when speaking with Rowe more recently, she told him that she’s willing to sell approximately 5.64 acres of land to the town.
Rowe said that going from adding one section to the equivalent of nine sections is quite a big difference. He mentioned if they were to take her up on the full offer, they would obviously be set on cemetery space for years to come.
However, he noted that the council members have a few factors to consider about the potential purchase. Rowe explained, “So it’s a matter of whether or not the price, the work after the sale and all of that makes sense financially and just in general.”
Town Council President Wendy Hoppe added that they have to be sure that the land can be used for the intended purpose.
She said the last thing they want to do is buy all that land and then learn that it can’t be incorporated into the cemetery. Hoppe and Rowe said they will do some research to find out which state entity would need to sign-off on the use before the council makes any official decisions about the matter.
The Highland Cemetery expansion will be addressed more during future meetings as talks between the landowner and town officials continue.
Showing posts with label Highland Cemetery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Highland Cemetery. Show all posts
Friday, September 7, 2018
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
North Judson Town Council Members Discuss Potential Expansion at Highland Cemetery
Posted on May 30, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson Town Council members are considering what to do at Highland Cemetery now that space is becoming limited.
Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe alerted council members last week that there are only about 12 to 20 grave spaces remaining at Highland Cemetery.
He noted that if they were to cross a highway or county road, a whole new cemetery would have to be established so they’re looking into the possibility of land acquisition. Rowe added that after checking on GIS, he discovered there is some farmland adjacent to the south end of the cemetery that could potentially be purchased for expansion.
Councilwoman Jane Ellen Felchuck noted that Pioneer Cemetery is retired and said that option is available for Highland. However, a few of the council members stated that they didn’t like the idea of not having a functional cemetery in town.
No official actions were taken but the matter will be readdressed at future meetings.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson Town Council members are considering what to do at Highland Cemetery now that space is becoming limited.
Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe alerted council members last week that there are only about 12 to 20 grave spaces remaining at Highland Cemetery.
He noted that if they were to cross a highway or county road, a whole new cemetery would have to be established so they’re looking into the possibility of land acquisition. Rowe added that after checking on GIS, he discovered there is some farmland adjacent to the south end of the cemetery that could potentially be purchased for expansion.
Councilwoman Jane Ellen Felchuck noted that Pioneer Cemetery is retired and said that option is available for Highland. However, a few of the council members stated that they didn’t like the idea of not having a functional cemetery in town.
No official actions were taken but the matter will be readdressed at future meetings.
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Highland Cemetery Concern Brought Before North Judson Town Council
Posted on March 10, 2018
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Some concerns about the Highland Cemetery were brought to the attention of the North Judson Town Council Members when they met Monday night.
Resident Vicki Richey informed members that she was speaking on behalf of everyone who has a loved one buried in the cemetery.
She stated that she used to own a tree-service company and recently looked over the land at Highland and found about 45 tree stumps. She added that there is also split tree that should be taken care of because if it falls it runs the risk of damaging some headstones.
She asked the town council members to look into getting those removed in order to make the cemetery look nicer for residents and out-of-town visitors. Richey said if funds don’t currently exist for cemetery beautification, she’d be willing to arrange a fundraiser.
Councilwoman Jane-Ellen Felchuck thanked Richey for offering the possible solution.
Councilman John Rowe said it wasn’t something that could be done right away, but it was definitely a reasonable request to look into. Council President Wendy Hoppe added that it is a tough situation to address, as digging in a cemetery can be tricky.
She said in the past, there were six plots a row but more recently they had to add in graves in between those plots, leading to even more potential obstacles. Regardless of the possible difficulty, she agreed with Councilman Rowe that they will look into the matter and see what can be done.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Some concerns about the Highland Cemetery were brought to the attention of the North Judson Town Council Members when they met Monday night.
Resident Vicki Richey informed members that she was speaking on behalf of everyone who has a loved one buried in the cemetery.
She stated that she used to own a tree-service company and recently looked over the land at Highland and found about 45 tree stumps. She added that there is also split tree that should be taken care of because if it falls it runs the risk of damaging some headstones.
She asked the town council members to look into getting those removed in order to make the cemetery look nicer for residents and out-of-town visitors. Richey said if funds don’t currently exist for cemetery beautification, she’d be willing to arrange a fundraiser.
Councilwoman Jane-Ellen Felchuck thanked Richey for offering the possible solution.
Councilman John Rowe said it wasn’t something that could be done right away, but it was definitely a reasonable request to look into. Council President Wendy Hoppe added that it is a tough situation to address, as digging in a cemetery can be tricky.
She said in the past, there were six plots a row but more recently they had to add in graves in between those plots, leading to even more potential obstacles. Regardless of the possible difficulty, she agreed with Councilman Rowe that they will look into the matter and see what can be done.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
North Judson Council Hears Complaints About Cemetery Mowing
Posted on July 26, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Unmowed grass at Highland Cemetery has led to a complaint to the North Judson Town Council. During last week’s meeting, one resident said the condition of the cemetery was a disgrace and asked council members to fix the problem.
Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins explained that the town gets eight mowings per year, under its contract with J. Rogers Services. So far, the cemeteries are being mowed twice a month, but residents and council members pointed out that when it rains, the grass grows faster. While the town has the option to get additional mowings for an extra cost, town officials said they hadn’t asked for any, before last week.
The town council has had a few issues this year, when it comes to the timing of cemetery mowings. Back in May, the town received numerous complaints, after the grass wasn’t mowed before Mother’s Day weekend. At the time, town officials said they contacted the contractor, but the cemetery wasn’t mowed until Mothers Day itself. Town officials are also concerned that the contractor hasn’t always been trimming around the headstones and fences.
It was suggested that rather than bidding the mowing contract out each year, the town have inmate work crews from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department do the work, instead. Council member Jane Ellen Felchuk said when she’s requested work crews in the past, the Sheriff’s Department refused.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Unmowed grass at Highland Cemetery has led to a complaint to the North Judson Town Council. During last week’s meeting, one resident said the condition of the cemetery was a disgrace and asked council members to fix the problem.
Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins explained that the town gets eight mowings per year, under its contract with J. Rogers Services. So far, the cemeteries are being mowed twice a month, but residents and council members pointed out that when it rains, the grass grows faster. While the town has the option to get additional mowings for an extra cost, town officials said they hadn’t asked for any, before last week.
The town council has had a few issues this year, when it comes to the timing of cemetery mowings. Back in May, the town received numerous complaints, after the grass wasn’t mowed before Mother’s Day weekend. At the time, town officials said they contacted the contractor, but the cemetery wasn’t mowed until Mothers Day itself. Town officials are also concerned that the contractor hasn’t always been trimming around the headstones and fences.
It was suggested that rather than bidding the mowing contract out each year, the town have inmate work crews from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department do the work, instead. Council member Jane Ellen Felchuk said when she’s requested work crews in the past, the Sheriff’s Department refused.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Thursday, July 7, 2016
North Judson Plans Additional Plots in Highland Cemetery
Posted on July 7, 2016
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Town of North Judson is running out of plots in Highland Cemetery.
Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins told the town council Tuesday there is only one available plot left, but there is quite a bit of space near the outer roads. some room to add more cemetery plots.
She believes the town could add double plots between the existing graves and the outer roads, but right now, that area is not available for use.
Collins says she’s had to put people off who have asked about buying plots in the cemetery until she was able to discuss the matter with the town council. ted out that there are several plots that are not currently in use, but they have already been sold.
The town council voted Tuesday to begin the process of having the land surveyed, so more plots may be added.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Town of North Judson is running out of plots in Highland Cemetery.
Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins told the town council Tuesday there is only one available plot left, but there is quite a bit of space near the outer roads. some room to add more cemetery plots.
She believes the town could add double plots between the existing graves and the outer roads, but right now, that area is not available for use.
Collins says she’s had to put people off who have asked about buying plots in the cemetery until she was able to discuss the matter with the town council. ted out that there are several plots that are not currently in use, but they have already been sold.
The town council voted Tuesday to begin the process of having the land surveyed, so more plots may be added.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
4/21 to 25/2014 Clean-Up Week for Highland & Pioneer Cemeteries
Clean-up week for Highland and Pioneer Cemeteries will be Monday, April 21, 2014 through Friday, April 25, 2014. All items should be removed from the cemeteries before April 21, to ensure they will not be broken.
Please pass this information along to anyone you know who may not see this notice and has items at one or both of the cemeteries.
Thank you!
Donna M. Henry
Clerk-Treasurer
Inc. Town of North Judson
574-896-3340
Please pass this information along to anyone you know who may not see this notice and has items at one or both of the cemeteries.
Thank you!
Donna M. Henry
Clerk-Treasurer
Inc. Town of North Judson
574-896-3340
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