Advertisement After meeting in closed session Aug. 12, the Bangor Village Board voted to authorize village clerk Shelly Miller to make an offer of $37,500 to Al Hesselberg for a lot just east of the library.
The vote followed earlier discussion on the matter during the open portion of the meeting. Hesselberg, former owner of the Helen House, informed the board that he had originally bought two lots from Larry and Bernadine Wehrs.
Recently, while attempting to sell the lots, he discovered that the village had encroached on the property line for a distance in excess of 21 feet on Lot 86.
Stressing that he hoped to settle the matter in amicable fashion, Hesselberg told the trustees that there appeared to be two options — the board could either buy the portion of the lot encroached upon or purchase the entire lot. Hesselberg said the area involved was just under 2,600 square feet.
His asking price for the entire 12,477-square-foot lot was $39,900. Further discussion followed. Sheri Axelsen, La Crosse County staff member at the library, urged the board to consider purchasing more land for future expansion. She said while the library was not looking to expand at present, it could in the future.
“We would be totally landlocked if someone purchased the lot east of us for a home,” Axelsen said.
“I think we should buy the lot and use it for green space,” said trustee Jeff Schurhammer. A majority of the board apparently agreed with Schurhammer because, after returning from closed session, the board authorized the purchase offer.
Later, Axelsen expressed satisfaction with the board’s action: “I don’t want to jinx things because I know negotiations are still under way, but I’m very happy — it was what I was hoping for.”
Other business
In other actions taken last Tuesday, the board:
The loan will be paid back later this month after funds from the county arrive about Aug. 20.
Contact Michael Martin at mike.martin@lee.net or 786-6813.
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