ELLSWORTH — A proposal for a 27-lot development at the northeast corner of North Maple Street and 580th Avenue was approved by the Ellsworth Village Board on Oct. 5. GMTZ made the proposal, presenting 17 single family lots and 10 twin home lots over 8.7 acres of land.

The proposal was forwarded to the board with a recommendation from the Plan Commission, and it has gone through multiple committee meetings.

After a closed session discussion, the board also approved the developer’s agreement for the project.

Continuing the property conversations, the board approved the pursuit of a sale of 37 acres of vacant village land north of the village limits in the Town of Ellsworth. The land was primarily used by the village for sand storage and is made up of 28 acres of woodlands and nine acres of agricultural land.

The board discussed the terms of the sale during closed session but did not make a motion upon reconvening. During the open session, Village Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Brad Roy said there are multiple options for a sale, but staff believes going to auction would make the most sense for the village. If the property does go to auction, the village would determine the lowest price they would accept during closed session.

“I think we should get rid of it, and I really think we should take that money and reinvest it to some other property that’s close to the village,” Trustee Dick Hines said.

Roy said they could find uses for the land, but it is not the most practical for their needs.

The board accepted a bid for $86,500 of work on the building demolition at 245 Broadway Street.

“The demolition of 245 [Broadway Street] has occurred. There were some holes in the adjoining buildings where the relevant floor supports were connected. That wasn’t included in the bid package, so that falls on the responsibility of the village,” Roy said. “At this time, I’m proposing that those funds come from a variety of sources that aren’t expected to have an expense this year.”

The village still projects a year-end surplus of $80,000 after the unexpected expense.