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Mayor spotlights Maplewood Cemetery history; says city received deed to church parcel and is soliciting demolition bids for unsafe Graves building
Summary
At Maplewood Cemetery, the mayor introduced long-time caretaker Tom Haas, who described the cemetery's early-1900s mausoleum history; the mayor also said the foundation deeded an old church parcel to the city and two appraisals were completed as required by state law, and that the Board of Public Works and Safety found the Graves building unsafe and the city has solicited demolition bids with the possibility of placing a lien to recoup costs.
Mayor presented a local-history spotlight at Maplewood Cemetery and used the occasion to update residents on two property items: the city has received a deed for a former church parcel and the Board of Public Works and Safety found the Graves building unsafe and advertised for demolition bids.
Tom Haas, the city caretaker who the mayor said has managed the cemetery for about 20 years, described Maplewood's history, including a now-demolished early-1900s mausoleum that once held as many as 250 interments and deteriorated over time. "There was a mausoleum here built in the early 1900s... It was supposed to be the thing for the in thing to bury people," Tom said, recounting how the structure was removed in 1955 and families were given the opportunity to relocate remains.
The mayor said the foundation that held title to an old church property on East North Street has deeded that parcel to the city; two appraisals were obtained "something we have to do by state law," he said, and the city intends to set a price and place a for-sale sign when appropriate. He noted that any eventual sale would require city-council approval.
On the Graves building, the mayor said the Board of Public Works and Safety found the structure unsafe. The city has solicited bids to determine demolition costs as part of its public-safety responsibilities and said that soliciting bids does not necessarily mean demolition will occur. When asked by a resident why the city would pay for demolition, the mayor explained the city's practice: it would initially incur the cost, then place a lien on the parcel for the exact costs (including legal expenses) so the city is reimbursed when the parcel sells.
Tom and the mayor also covered other local cemetery history — scattered small burial sites, relocated stones, and notable interments tied to Crown Point's founding. During a brief audience trivia exchange the mayor and attendees identified 1871 as the year of Maplewood's first burial and named Jonathan Wagonblast as the first person interred.
What happens next: the city will continue its process for the church parcel sale (appraisal, price-setting and council action) and will evaluate demolition bids for the Graves building; residents were invited to contact the mayor's office for more detail or concerns.
