Oconto Falls city officials balked at a request to insure the former Jefferson School property owned by a local historical organization but conceded to the possibility of moving a fence at the property.
Dale Seeling, of the Oconto Falls Area Heritage Center, on Oct. 13 asked the City Council to provide liability insurance at the property, which was deeded to the history group last year by the school district. OFAHC plans to develop a historical park at the property where Jefferson School educated students until 1995. The school was torn down in 2002.
The property borders the city’s Pine Grove Park on the west side of Oconto Falls, but City Administrator Vicki Roberts said the city has no reason to insure the lot.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but with my background in insurance I don’t believe the city can insure property belonging to someone else,” she said.
Seeling said if the city could or would not insure it, the society would take steps to stop people from accessing the property.
“We’re concerned about defending ourselves against a lawsuit,” he said.
“We can’t insure other people’s properties just because it’s adjacent to city property,” Roberts said.
Alderman Mat McDermid said T-ball teams were using the lot.
“We put a stop to that,” Roberts responded.
Alderman Kevin Rusch said the city would be required to lease the property from the historical society in order to insure it.
Seeling asked the city to move a fence that extends along a portion of the property on Green Bay Avenue, including the opening into the property. In response, the council directed City Attorney Larry Jeske to look into the possibility of moving the fence and agreed to discuss the fence on Nov. 10.
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