LITCHFIELD -- The Litchfield City Council on Monday voted to purchase the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall and two adjoining lots from VFW Post 2818.
The city will pay $446,000 for the property, which will be used as the site of a new fire hall and rescue squad facility.
Mayor Vern Madson said the building, a parking lot and a vacant lot were all included in the purchase. The acquisition, he said, will give the city the majority of the block, except for two properties.
Madson said in a Tuesday phone interview that the purchase will "continue rolling the ball" on improvements to city buildings.
Plans for upgrading the fire department and rescue squad have been discussed for several years, the mayor said. The rescue squad's building, in particular, is in "bad shape."
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Madson said the VFW will remain at the property for one year while the fire and rescue committee prepares plans for the new facility.
He added that a construction deadline for the new facility has not been set.
"We're not rushing (the VFW) and they're not rushing to it," Madson said. "We're trying to work with them, and they're trying to work with the city. So it's not like they need to be out by the first of the year."
Last month, the City Council voted to present a purchase offer for the VFW parcel. Post 2818 last week voted to move forward with proposal.
Madson, who is a member of the post, said there has been speculation about where the VFW may relocate. The VFW has yet to conduct formal discussions regarding a new site.
