Published in the August 31, 2015 edition
WAKEFIELD — In April, the Lakeside Cemetery’s Board of Trustees saw a 40-year tenant move out of the red house at 509 North Ave.
Board members and Superintendent Phil Callahan did a walk-through of the small 185-year-old building and found several structural problems. The trustees thought the issues may be too expensive to repair. They asked contractors for their opinion and were basically told to tear the house down.
But before that happens, the Historical Commission will hold a hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 15, to determine whether the demolition of the house would be detrimental to the historical or architectural resources of the town.
According to Callahan, his records show the house was built around 1830.
The Board of Director of the Lakeside Cemetery at this time aren’t sure what they want there after the building is torn down. Callahan said one option is to rebuild and another is to use the land for cemetery lots.
Nothing will happen on the site, however, until after Sept. 15. The Historical Commission’s public hearing — open to everyone — will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the first floor conference room in Town Hall.
According to a website, “The Lakeside Cemetery is a private, non-profit cemetery established in 1846. The property is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of lot owners and is open to all people for both immediate and pre-need options. Lakeside is prized in the community for its gentle slopes, country environment and magnificent canopy of beautiful mature trees. We have plots available in various areas in the Cemetery and, in an effort to accommodate the growing demand for cremation burial, our new gray granite 48-niche columbarium wall overlooking the Lake was constructed in the spring of 2009 and in 2015 we completed another columbarium with a fantastic view of the Lake as well.”
— Bob Burgess
