The discovery of an uncharted 2-foot wide strip of concrete inside Oakwood Cemetery sparked a discussion Thursday between regency members as to how headstones would be positioned to best coincide with the newly found unusable land.

The board decided future plots affected by the concrete strip will be installed with headstones facing west towards Central Avenue. Cemetery sexton David Shaw said the agreed placement would help prevent headstones from becoming organized non-traditionally.

Shaw reported plans for Phend and Brown to begin road work on Legion Avenue this week. A road patch will be installed to straighten out Legion, allowing for easier access through the cemetery.

Shaw also said all headstones and monuments had been washed within the last month, and all equipment was ready for the fall season.

"All we do now is wait for the leaves to drop," Shaw said. "But we're ready for them."

Tony Lloyd, of Patten Monument Co., discussed Oakwood's headstone measurement regulations, and used a recent gravemarker to point out legitimate areas and possible violations.

"We take the cemetery regulations very seriously," Lloyd said. "In the death care industry, it's understood that cemetery regulations have some leeway with measurements, but it's best that we all feel comfortable with where the line is drawn."

Regency members said they believed current headstones inside of Oakwood met requirements.

Before adjournment, members validated 12 deeds for additional plats.

Present members were Lewis Dobbins, Warren Tatter, Ellen Hoffer and Bob Sandy

Shaw, Lloyd, and council representative Bob Morrison were also in attendance.

The next cemetery meeting is Nov. 3. [[In-content Ad]]