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Oakwood Cemetery is moving forward to purchase some land next to the cemetery.
Sexton Hal Heagy has been talking with Tom Kinch about purchasing part of his property for months. Thursday, Heagy said he has talked to Kinch, Mayor Jeff Grose and city attorney Scott Reust.
Kinch was asking for $78,000 for the portion of the property in discussion. Two appraisals were done and the average of the two appraisals was $88,000 for 12.96 acres.
Reust has all the paperwork and Heagy said he texted Reust he wanted to move forward. Reust will have to make up a purchase agreement.
Heagy said he hopes to purchase the property by the beginning of 2027.
He said the $75,000 that will make up the cemetery’s portion of the purchase will come out of next year’s permanent budget.
In past meetings, Heagy said Kinch will retain ownership of part of the property, including the portion with the house. The portion the cemetery plans to purchase will remain under the city of Warsaw. Heagy said that way, there will be no issues for things like Dr. Nate Bosch, director of Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams, wanting to clean up the pond in the area.
In other business, the board:
• Heard the vegetable and fruit garden yielded 579 pounds so far this year, which were donated to The Salvation Army.
• Was reminded about this year’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.
The parade lineup this year is at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Boggs Industrial Park. The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. and go from West Center Street to Indiana Street and then Canal Street.
The memorial service will be at 7:15 p.m. at the 9/11 Memorial monument at Central Park, 117 E. Canal St., Warsaw.
• Heard about the development of the Parson Farm area of the cemetery.
Heagy said after talking with the Street Department, the cemetery is still in the realm of getting asphalt for roads in that area this year.
• Heard 12 trees were planted in the cemetery.
