Board votes to provide library loan for BMO building

ELLSWORTH – April 19, 2021 marked a bittersweet, yet celebratory meeting for the Ellsworth Village Board. Village President Jerry De-Wolfe presided over his last meeting after 30 years of public service.

It was also the last village board meeting for long-time trustees Neil Gulbranson and Curt Wandmacher, and Public Works Director Greg Engeset, who is retiring after 35 years in his role.

“Since this is Curt’s, Jerry’s, mine and Greg Engeset’s last meeting, I’d like to acknowledge the projects done over the years under Jerry’s leadership,” Gulbranson said.

He provided an extensive list of projects DeWolfe has had a hand in during his three decades in office, including business expansions at Kaufholds Kurds, Western Ag Supply, Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, and Countryside Cooperative’s travel plaza. New buildings or businesses in town include Mc-Donald’s, State Farm, Shaw Dentistry, Pierce Veterinary Clinic and Pamida / Shopko.

Gulbranson noted that Quinn Motors upgraded its facility and chose to remain in town despite incentive to move to River Falls. Not only did they stay, but they expanded and built Legacy Park on Main Street.

“Jerry also worked very hard to keep the Army Reserve Center in town, but they

See VILLAGE. BOARD, Page 11 wanted to be in Hammond near the freeway,” Gulbranson said. “Plus, we had a person involved in the jail design committee.”

DeWolfe also oversaw numerous new housing developments, including but not limited to Southgate’s additions, The Highlands, Hines Addition, Cairns Street, High Point, Trillium Green, Crossing Meadows and Cottages of Ellsworth.

Often infrastructure projects go unnoticed, though they sometimes require the most work. Gulbranson ticked off countless road improvement projects, stormwater pond projects, taking over Ray Huppert’s water utility, building two new water towers, purchasing the village hall, cost-sharing the biosolids facility with other municipalities and assuming care of Maple Grove Cemetery, on his list.

It didn’t end there: Langer Park on Main Street, identifying space at Summit Park for a skate park, adding onto the fire and EMS buildings, cost sharing on the tennis courts and Summit Park scoreboard, procuring Safe Routes to School grants for sidewalks and a lighted path, building a new middle school and a new elementary school.

DeWolfe said those projects were not just the work of one person.

“It’s not just all me,” DeWolfe said. “It was the work of many boards.”

Kim Beebe, representing the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce, thanked the three departing board members for their heartfelt support, especially of the Cheese Curd Festival and downtown beautification efforts.

Before moving on to agenda items, De-Wolfe had one last comment warning against misinformation spread on social media.

“Social media in the past has not been nice to us board members,” DeWolfe said. “They say we haven’t done anything in 20 years, but Neil blew that out of the water (with his list).”

He set the record straight that he and the board tried their best to get a hotel to move into town: Both AmericInn and Cobblestone had been options, but not enough local investors stepped forward, he said.

“And who’s to blame for the empty storefronts in town? We all are,” DeWolfe said, adding that shopping at big box stores rather than locally has hurt downtowns everywhere. “And be careful what you hear and what you say (on social media) because it’s not always true.”

Wandmacher added his own advice to incoming board members. “You have to remember the money you spend, it’s not your money,” he said.

Residents expect roads to be paved and plowed, and to be provided with police, fire and EMS services.

“Once that’s covered, you can do other things,” he added.

Library loan

The board voted unanimously to borrow $500,000 to purchase the BMO Harris Bank Building at 388 W. Main St. for the future site of the Ellsworth Public Library.

The purchase was contingent on the EPL raising $350,000 for the building’s renovation.

“Now it’s time that we step up and hold up our end of the bargain,” Wandmacher said.

The project, nine years in the making, will cost roughly $1.4 million to develop. The library is already contributing $595,000 toward the purchase.

Library Director Tiffany Meyer said in an email to The Journal that the campaign team is made up of incredible volunteers.

“Tony Birkel has been contacting businesses, organizations and families regarding larger donations and naming opportunities since late last year,” Meyer said.

He raised more than $250,000.

Jack Hines came on board about a month ago to pound the pavement up and down Main Street, garnering support from local businesses.

Meyer also credited Roxy Birkel and Sharon Schulze for writing and submitting grant applications, while the Friends of the EPL Board coordinated community fundraisers. Friends members include President Pam Enger, Joyann Johnson, Audrey Severson, Schulze, Cindy Baird, Jeanette Wright, Jeanne Friedell, Patty Murphy and Mike Perry.

”I am absolutely blown away that they have collectively managed to surpass the library’s initial $350,000 fundraising goal in such a short amount of time,” Meyer said.

Other business

•Police Administrative Assistant Jennifer Wagner submitted her resignation, effective June 30.

•Street use permits were approved for the Ellsworth Farmers Market (June 3-Sept. 30), along with the Summer Fun Series.

•A street use permit was approved for the Ellsworth Cheese Curd Festival for Saturday, June 26. Trustees Becky Beissel and Mike Steele abstained from the vote.

•The board approved temporary Class B / Class B retailer’s licenses for NTPA/WTPA Showdown in Curd Town (June 12-13); Ellsworth Hubbers home baseball games; Pierce County Fair Moto Cross (July 30); Pierce County Fair (Aug. 12-15); and Pierce County Fair wine and beer judging event (Aug. 12).