ELLSWORTH — A proposed agreement with MSA to develop an East End Park Master Plan was tabled to the October agenda during the Sept. 8 Ellsworth Village Board meeting.

The proposal was to spend $27,500 for multiple concepts of an East End Park future to coincide with the ongoing East End Redevelopment Plan that is focusing more on the businesses, Broadway Street and the surrounding area.

Village President Becky Beissel said approving the plan opens the door for grant opportunities, and that the village can return on their investment if they are “intentional and strategic.” Beissel also mentioned groups have come to the village looking to donate things to the park, but without a plan it can be difficult to accept.

The general consensus of the speaking members of the board who voted to table the plan with votes from all except Beissel was that a plan may be needed, but the presented cost may be too steep.

“I just know we’re going to get the comments of, ‘We spent $27,500 on a plan when we could have just bought new equipment.’”

Public Works Director Brad Vick said the equipment can actually run much higher, around $100,000 at times.

“I’m not aware of our parks ever having any plans, and I think it shows,” Beissel said. “I’m not interested in just buying equipment and throwing it where we think it belongs. We’ve seen where that gets us, and to me that just feels like haste makes waste.”

Trustee Tony Hines also asked that if the village makes the East End Park creek more open to the public, they look into liability so it does not cost the village, as he remembers that same issue being the reason it was closed off years ago.

Streets and sidewalks

With two applicants, the board approved a bid from Rush River for 2026 sidewalk repairs. The Rush River bid was $83,000 to Pember’s $97,000, and Rush River assured they can complete the entirety of the project in 2026. The board also approved notifications to property owners that could be assessed portions of the sidewalk cost. Action on the assessments would be during the November meeting, giving residents a chance to speak on the item at that meeting.

The board also approved a $333,000 payment for the Grant and Piety improvement project as well as a change order.

During Vick’s report near the conclusion of the meeting, he said construction issues in the Grant and Piety project have caused construction crews to reevaluate and change up the plan, working on Piety from Main to Strickland.

“They’re going to have to have curb and asphalt down prior to winter, because there’s no way we can maintain that road without that being done,” Vick said. “If that doesn’t get done, that’s on them and we’re talking penalties already.”

Vick said they will likely only get done up to Strickland this year.

Tractor purchase

After some discussion the board approved $80,000 for a 2017 tractor with mower attachment. The final numbers came out to be $54,000 from the general fund and $13,000 a piece from water and sewer utility.

“The Village has an opportunity to strengthen both its water system reliability and its maintenance capabilities through the purchase of a 2017 John Deere tractor with approximately 3,347 operating hours, equipped with a boom mower and a PTO rating of 1000rpm. This equipment would not only ensure that Well 3 can be operated as needed, but also provide long-term value by supporting other essential public works functions,” a written statement from Vick in the village documents states.

Currently, Vick said emergencies call for employees to provide personal equipment to keep Well 3 operational, which he said is not sustainable. The mower will also be used for roadside and ditch maintenance. The village has just one generator, so Vick said the tractor will keep the wells running in the instance of a power outage.

“My view is with the issues on Well 3, this became an extreme priority,” Village Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Brad Roy said.

Vick said they either need the tractor or a new generator to get the well house running on its own, which would be even more costly. The current tractor is a 1978 tractor which Vick called a “hazard” and said no longer fits village needs.

“We don’t need a tractor,” Hines said. “You can lease a tractor a lot less than $70,000.”

Hines ultimately was the lone voter against the proposal with Ryan Bench abstaining and Lance Austin absent.

Other business

• The board had four closed session agenda items for discussion: a Verizon tower lease, discussion of the Grant/Piety reconstruction contract with Albrightson, Mahn Funeral Home land sale and a Loberg Law Office Developer’s Agreement in Crossing Meadows. After reconvening to open session, the lone action taken was to approve the Loberg Law Office agreement.
• Approved pushing for a $25,000 Urban Forestry Grant with a 50% village match. The village currently budgets $20,000 toward forestry, so, if they receive the grant, the village will need to increase by $5,000.
• Approved the 2025-29 village Strategic Plan.
• Approved Mike Bull’s resignation from the Plan Commission as well as Ryan Johnson’s resignation from the Community Development Authority. Beissel cited too large of a time commitment as the reason for the resignations and the roles will be reappointed at the Village Board’s October meeting.
• Approved $4,800 for a wetland delineation, which is required to sell land in the East End Industrial Park. The flood plain study in the area cost $4,000 less than expected, leaving room for the village to take on the cost.
• Approved a Summit Park cost agreement with the Hubbers and the school district.