A fuel tank was likely removed from the BMO Harris Bank site in downtown Ellsworth that is to be the site of the new village library. However, since there are no guarantees, the bank agreed to take $100,000 less for the property.

The village had agreed to buy the bank at 388 W. Main St., just west of the Pierce County Courthouse, for $425,000. The village board held an “emergency special meeting” Friday and agreed to the plan to buy the building for less money.

The meeting was scheduled Thursday after 6 p.m. Normal procedure is for public notification of a meeting 24 hours prior but state law does allow for special circumstances. Village Board member Curt Wandemacher told the Ellsworth Library Building Committee Monday night that the special meeting was necessary because there was a Monday deadline to negotiate the deal with the bank. He predicted that closing could take place in fivesix weeks.

The board met briefly in closed session with Attorney Bob Loberg in the board room on the lower level of village hall.

They reconvened in open session to vote on paperwork Loberg had presented them.

“In essence what it is is a price reduction on the building we’re looking at buying from BMO Harris,” said Village President Gerald DeWolfe.

The village was offered the choice of $100,000 off on the building or a 25-year indemnification agreement.

Loberg’s notes that the board acted on were re- leased to The Journal Monday. They state: “The Village Board consulted with Atty. Loberg in closed session concerning further negotiations with BMO Harris Bank thru (sic) realtor John Kardellis. This followed the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment report from Ayers which concluded there was previously located on the Bank premises an underground fuel oil tank serving the Bank. Further investigation by Board members (Becky) Beissel and (Curt) Wandmacher found that prior Bank remodeling contractor William Holst (Holst Excavating) believed the tank was removed as part of the 1980s construction project – but he could not verify same. Also, that former Bank Vice President P. Leland Skog also believed the tank had been removed but knew of no proof of same. Also, that Jack Hofmeister, Hofmeister Oil, Inc,, reported pumping the fuel out of the tank and that he believed the tank was then removed, but he had no proof of same. The State records show a tank was located on site but there is no proof of removal.

“The Site Assessment did not report any known hazardous material present on the site, leaching into the site soil or onto adjoining properties.

“BMO is willing to give the Village a $100,000 price reduction or a 25-year indemnification against loss or damage resulting from environmentally hazardous materials on site.

“The Board believes that a price reduction is the best avenue provided BMO assures the Village it gives the representations set forth in par. 2 of the proposed indemnification agreement. The proposed indemnification agreement, even though extending 25 years, would not give assurance beyond that time and environmental issues could be discovered long after that, in which case the proposed indemnification would prove useless.

“The Board believes that while it is not the case there is ‘no risk’ in acquiring the property knowing there could be a hazardous material issue, the Village believes there is “low risk” and it is therefore justifiable and advisable to proceed with the purchase and accept the substantial price reduction of $100,000.”

Now, the question has arisen on how that $100,000 reduction will affect fundraising. The Ellsworth Public Library is contributing $595,000 toward buying the building and renovating the vacant bank building into a facility that will increase the library’s space by 8,769 square feet. The Village Board committed to borrowing $500,000 toward a new library, contingent on a library fundraising drive to raise $350,000. When that money is raised, the village will act on the financing plan.

However, Ellsworth Public Library Building/Space Committee members raised the question of whether they still need to raise $350,000 or if that number drops to $250,000 with the $100,000 building price reduction.

Wandemacher told the committee that his understanding is that $350,000 still needs to be raised.

“They aren’t related,” he said of the building price and the fundraising goal.

“Why wouldn’t that be?” committee chair Paul Bauer asked.

Library Director Tiffany Meyer suggested that the committee get together with the Village Board.

“It’s not something they’ve already had a discussion on because it wasn’t on the agenda,” she said.

The committee will approach the village board to talk it over.

Fundraising has been underway, and the goal was to raise the necessary funds this spring.