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The Bangor Village Board learned that the exploration of a possible tax increment financing district for the old Sprehn Mill/Hussa Brewery site is going forward, with village engineer Chuck Sulik reviewing proposals by potential developers.

“The developers should be through explaining their proposals to Sulik by the end of next week and then he will make his recommendations on whether a TIF is feasible,” said Village President Robin Gjertsen.

Board members also learned that Braun Intertec, the firm charged with cleaning up contamination at the site, had sent the final draft of their report to the DNR on May 9. The village will most likely hear a verdict from the DNR in about four weeks. Getting the DNR to sign off that the site is clean is another hurdle the village will have to overcome to establish a TIF district.

The planning commission discuss the matter sometime before the June Village Board meeting. “I’ve heard that one of the developers is in negotiation with the current owner (Robert Lunke) for title to the property,” Gjertsen said. “If that comes off, the deal can go ahead. It (demolition of the site) is not a sure thing by any means, but it’s closer than it’s ever been.”

Other business

In other action, the board revoked a conditional-use permit held by Chris Mason. Mason had been given until May 13 to remove several vehicles from his property that were not roadworthy.

Trustee Eric Vaughn and Police Chief Scott Alo had gone to look at the property earlier in the day. According to Vaughn, there were two wrecked vehicles still present.

Mason said that he had people coming to help him in the next few days and that the site would be completely cleaned up by Monday, May 19. “Essentially, I’m asking for an extension of one week,” Mason said.

That drew an angry response from neighbor Minnie Bolcerek. “I’ve had to look at that dump all winter — I’m tired of it,” she said.

“Myself, I feel that we’ve given him enough time,” said Trustee Dan Hesse. “The vehicles are not licensed and they are not roadworthy.”

By law, Mason will have 10 days to clean up the site. If not in compliance by then, he would be subject to fines.

The board also heard from Amy Doubek, the village’s new recreation director. After introducing herself, she gave the trustees a rundown of the summer programs being offered. She noted that some of the youth teams still need coaches and that it would also be advisable to have a few more umpires trained to help out.

Doubek had high praise for outgoing recreation director Kari Johnson. “She has been so helpful. I’m wondering if there is any way we could do something to thank her?” she asked.

After discussion, the board voted to send Johnson a gift card for dinner at the Village Inn.

The board approved purchase of two park benches for the area around the children’s playground at Village Park after hearing from constituents that there was no place for parents to sit while watching their children play.

The board also approved a request to close the alley between Nubs and Bangor Lanes on June 6 for a girls basketball fundraiser. The time of the closure will be from 2:30 p.m until 7:00 p.m.

A temporary liquor license was granted to the American Legion for two dates — June 28 and July 4.

Finally, the board learned that some village employees had asked about the possibility of direct deposit of their paychecks. The issue will be explored further at the June meeting.