ELLSWORTH – The Village of Ellsworth’s new website went live Dec. 18, providing a much cleaner look and a more userfriendly experience for visitors.

Residents can easily pay bills online, see board and committee meeting agendas and minutes, seek information on village ordinances and activities, access permits/forms and learn about community projects, such as the Cairns Woods Trail and new library location.

Users can subscribe to urgent village alerts, news and announcement notifications, and meeting agenda and minutes delivery. The website was designed by CivicPlus.

Two village board meetings in January took care of housekeeping items.

Jan. 10 Village Board meeting

•The board authorized Braun ThyssenKrupp Elevator to perform required elevator maintenance work at 388 W. Main St. for a total of $765.

•The board accepted the resignation of David E. Hugare from the village’s Sex Offender Residency Appeals Committee.

•The board took care of many internal employee matters, such as deciding to issue Public Works employees one expense credit card (rather than multiple), and authorizing village employees to contribute up to $25 a month to a Health Savings Account at any bank in the village.

•The board approved a Certified Survey Map for Paul Bauer, basically putting two lots together at 375 W. Kinne St.

•The Planning Commission reported developer Bruce Carman may have a possible business plan for the former Shopko building. More information will be coming.

Jan. 17 Special Village Board meeting

•The board approved a one-year contract with auditor Clifton-AllenLarson.

•The board approved Ayres and Associates Inc. to send architectural, mechanical and structural revision plans to the state for the new library location at 388 W. Main St.

•The board approved the AIA contract with Ayres Associates, Inc. for the new library location project, contingent on updating the project completion date and other language.

•The board decided to hold off an approving a company to perform asbestos abatement at the new library location pending receiving a second bid. Another special village board meeting may be called in order to approve the contract so work can begin as soon as possible. However, Village President Becky Beissel asked the board and staff to find a way to become more organized.

“We need to get a little more organized and not have three board meetings a month,” she said.

This screenshot shows the home page for the new Village of Ellsworth website, which debuted Dec. 18. The new website promises a more user-friendly experience with easy-to-navigate tabs. Screenshot courtesy of Village of Ellsworth