Damage may push back grand opening

ELLSWORTH – A boiler malfunction at the soon-tobe Ellsworth Public Library (388 W. Main St.) flooded the basement, causing thousands of dollars of damage not only in the lower level, but in the upper level as well. The flood was discovered Nov. 21.

Library Director Tiffany Meyer told the Ellsworth Village Board Monday, Dec. 5 that Market & Johnson said the pressure release valve on the boiler failed and 18,000 gallons of 200-degree water gushed from the unit, basically turning the building into a “tropical observatory.”

According to Village Administrator Clerk-Treasurer Brad Roy, carpet in the basement and the bottom four feet of sheetrock had to be removed. The library will receive full cost replacement from its insurance company after paying a $1,000 premium, which is good news. However, the setback is frustrating, to say the least.

“Basement-wise, the carpet had to go and they (the walls) probably wanted to come down anyway, so we’re really not out anything on that end,” Roy said.

The sump pump float switch was damaged because of the hot water, so the water pumping from the boiler didn’t drain as it should have, Meyer said. The basement filled with hot water, which caused condensation to coat the interior of the building.

“All of the light fixtures and Smart TVs in the building will need to be replaced,” Meyer said.

Cracks are forming in the fresh paint on the walls on the main level; Meyer estimated 75% of the interior will need to be repainted.

“I just got that news today,” she said Dec. 5. “I hope to have a better update tomorrow.

“In theory, this all could be done in the next couple of weeks. But the light fixtures might take months due to supply chain issues,” Meyer said.

She’s hoping the lights will continue to work until they can be replaced. Fortunately, no mold was found anywhere. However, due to the painting, the furniture installation may need to be rescheduled.

Meyer noted that when the village purchased the building in 2018, the boilers had been reported as “relatively new.” The malfunction did not happen because of ancient equipment.

“It’s just a sad thing that happened but it’s being dealt with and we’re just looking at the idea that the library wasn’t furnished,” Meyer said.

Had the books been in the building, they wouldn’t have survived, she said. The library would have had to replace its entire collection.

“Is there a chance it could happen again? I hope not,” Trustee Mandy Anderson said. “Maybe we should look into getting an alarm.”

Roy said the room’s location in the unoccupied basement renders the audible alarm basically useless.

“Nobody would hear it, where it was,” he said. “After this, I think we’ll have to look into having a new alarm system so people can be notified.”

“It could have been a lot worse,” Trustee Dale Hines said.

A total for the damage has not been calculated yet. The grand opening is scheduled for Jan. 9, but may need to be postponed.

Fresh paint in the new Ellsworth Public Library building at 388 W. Main St. is cracking thanks to a boiler flooding hot water throughout the structure. Photo courtesy of Tiffany Meyer