Hayfield officials discover clerical error through softball field sale

For over five decades, the city of Hayfield has taken care of the Hayfield Community Pool, which includes the softball field.
But an agreement for the school district to purchase the softball field for $1 has led to a discovery that set the sale back.
Hayfield Mayor Rich Fjerstad said the pool was able to be built through donations, but soon after, it became apparent by the Hayfield Community Pool Corporation, a now disbanded organization, that it would be best for the city to take it over.
However, when the city went to sell the field to the school district it was discovered the property was never deeded correctly, meaning the sale to the city of Hatfield was never recorded with the county.
“It was in the city minutes, but it was not filed with the county,” Fjerstad said.
The city is currently in the process of going through a so-called Quiet Title which when completed would allow for the sale to go through assuming there aren’t any other issues that emerge.
Hayfield Superintendent Gregg Slaathaug noted improvements have already previously been made with fundraising from Hayfield Fastpitch and future maintenance would come from the district’s long term field maintenance funding.
It was also noted by Fjerstad that the city would have first right of refusal essentially and if the school district decided to sell it in the future, the city would have the first opportunity to buy it back for $1.