MIDDLEPORT — A maintenance and support plan for the four-unit Solar-Bee system in Middleport’s sewage lagoon system has been approved by village council.

Meeting Monday night, council approved unanimously a three-year service contract for $28,688 with Solar-BeeKeeper on recommendation of the committee chairman Rae Moore and village administrator Fayman Roberts.

The Solar-Bee system, brushless mixers which operate on solar power, was installed last fall. It came at no cost to the village, having been completely paid for with federal stimulus grant money, according to Roberts. The amount of installation was $181,400.

The installation of the Solar-Bee system was a solution, said Roberts, to a “compliance issue on sewage control being faced by the village.”

The maintenance/support plan approved by Council is “All inclusive for that three year period ... an insurance policy ... things wear out, break down, need replacing, and it covers everything.” the village administrator noted. “In addition it includes twice a year inspections by the company, and upgrades of operating software.”

Read at the meeting by Mayor Michael Gerlach was a letter of commendation from the Ohio EPA regarding the village’s effort to protect its sources of drinking water. In his letter, Michael Eggert, Manager, Drinking Water Source Protection Program, Ohio EPA, commended the village for its recent completion of the protection plan.

Gerlach then presented to Village Administrator Roberts, and Committee Chairman Moore a framed certificate of compliance citing the accomplishments of the village in implementing the protective strategies.

In other action, council approved the restored Depot building in Dave Diles Park for use from March 19 to April 19 (15 hours a week) for use by the government as a place for training Census workers.

The village will be providing the location as a “courtesy,” said the Mayor who then noted that facilitating the census count could prove to be an asset since “every person they count contributes to grant money” indicating that numbers count when it comes to applying and receiving project funding.

Meeting with council was Charles Fitchpatrick to voice objections about the increase in trash hauling fees. His complaint pertained to the fact that the village contracts with a hauler and requires payment from all residents whether the service is used or not.

Also meeting with Council was Ron Holley regarding a zoning issue in the area where he hopes to open a business. Council advised that there is no zoning conflict at the proposed location.

Committees announced by the mayor for 2010 were as follows: finance, Rae Moore, Craig Wehrung, and Sandy Brown; insurance, Wehrung and Brown; recreation, Jean Craig, Julie Huston, and Shawn Rice; ordinance, Moore, Wehrung, Rice, and Brown; building and planning, Huston, Rice, Wehrung, and Craig; and water and sewer, Wehrung, Moore and Craig.

It was announced that the Planning and Zoning Commission remains Diane Lynch, Paul Reed and Brenda Phalin with definite terms. Lawrence Powell was reappointed to the Board of Zoning Appeal.

Jennifer Sheets was reappointed village solicitor and was present at the meeting for an executive session to discuss some legal issues with village officials.