Metamora sewer lagoon going solar

METAMORA — Metamora village’s Downtown Development Authority plans to fund an energy-conscious improvement to the village’s sewer system. Council members discussed the project at Monday’s meeting, along with other village business.

Village president John Clark says the DDA will underwrite the cost of a SolarBee system for the sewer lagoon. The SolarBee is a solar-powered circulating unit that sits in the sewer lagoon. The moving paddles of the SolarBee aerate the lagoon and help to reduce odors as well as help to decrease phosphorous levels.

Since phosphorous levels are capped by the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources and Environment, reducing them will have the additional benefit of allowing more discharge, thereby increasing the lagoon’s capacity.

Rowe Engineering’s Leanne Panduren said that she will be in contact with the DNRE to move the project along. Since parts for the project are in stock, she’s hopeful that the SolarBee can be up and running before the fall discharge of the sewer lagoon.

There are at least two other SolarBees in use in the county, in the villages of North Branch and Dryden. Both of those communities have seen the benefits of the solar circulators for a number of years.

“It keeps the parameters in your lagoon more consistent from the surface to the bottom,” says North Branch’s DPW Supervisor, Ron Seaman. “You have better quality sewage and it’s easier to discharge.”

North Branch has two SolarBees. Seaman says their larger unit was installed about 10 years ago at a cost of about $27,000, and it was money well spent. He says that SolarBee provides a great product and excellent service.

“I have nothing but high praise for them,” says Seaman. “This company ... is just one of the greatest companies in the world.”

In another of Metamora’s DDA-funded projects, four picnic tables and six benches will be built from wolmanized wood for Harmer Park. Up to $1,800 will be spent on the project. The tables and benches will see use during the upcoming Concerts in the Park, as well as other events.

In other village concerns, council members agreed to have cracks filled on High Street. T.G. Priehs of Dryden will perform the work at a cost of $1,050. Additional work on the parking lot south of the party store will add to the cost.

Council members authorized gradework on the DPW garage approach. Doug Bontrager will perform the bulldozing. Council authorized up to $2,000 worth of work to be performed in $500 increments allowing for inspections on progress, limiting the project to what is necessary.

A residence on Colson Street continues to be a topic of council discussion. Trustee Larry Morris questioned whether the property is in compliance with village regulations relative to animals housed on the property. Clark said that written complaints should be made.

Options were weighed relative to ongoing litigation with a sewer contractor for the Jamestown subdivision. The contractor is now in bankruptcy proceedings. Council will update its estimate of the cost to fix the sewer system.

Council members granted permission to use the sewer lagoon site for the Metamora Days fireworks, and approved up to $1,000 for the purchase of fireworks product.

Village clerk Tina Sauve will attend this year’s Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks conference in June.