MIDDLEPORT — The water/sewer rates and the ordinance by which they are levied were again discussed by Middleport Village Council at Monday night’s meeting.

At the Jan. 28 meeting following a complaint by Councilman Roger Manley about the three-percent rate increase, the ordinance committee composed of Emerson Heighton, Manley, Rae Moore, and Craig Wehrung, was directed to review the ordinance and decide whether changes were needed in order to trigger annual reviews of rates.

A report from the committee, presented by Mayor Mike Gerlach, was to the effect that the current ordinance already has a provision whereby Council can change rates, an increase or decrease, on an annual basis. Susan Baker, financial officer, for the benefit of Council, displayed on a bulletin board just how much the three percent increase this year for minimum use affected a resident’s bill. Bills for minimum use, according to her figures, went from $45.70 to $47.05 or three percent. The majority of the committee did not recommend any changes in the current ordinance.

Manley then made a motion to repeal the ordinance regulating water rates with Council member Penny Burge seconding the motion. While Manley and Burge voted yes for the appeal. Moore, Sandy Brown, Wehrung and Heighton voted no defeating the motion for repeal.

On the recommendation of Mike Hendrickson, village building instructor, Council gave a first reading on an ordinance providing for changes in inspection fees. The changes recommended set a fee of $15 for a re-inspection and then in cases where more inspections are needed the fee increases to $25.Plans were also discussed for compiling a data base for tenants.

On recommendation of Chief of Police Bruce Swift, Randy Arnold was hired as a part-time correction officer, and Shannon Smith who has been part-time, was taken on as a full-time officer.

Council entered into a lease agreement with Jeffery D. Brown for a 300 foot radius around the new well being drilled by the village on land adjacent to Overbrook Rehabilitation Center with crossing privileges given to Brown. Action on the lease followed an executive meeting with the village solicitor.