MILTON, Wis. -- The city of Milton and United Ethanol are working to respond to residents' complaints regarding a local ethanol plant.

The issue is the odor produced by the plant and neigbhors' concerns about what's in the air.

The issue has been an ongoing one -- since the United Ethanol Plant opened in Milton in 2007, WISC-TV reported. Nearby residents have complained of a strong, irritating odor.

Both sides said Wednesday they are working to find a resolution.

"The company expected to be a long-term, productive contributor member and collaborator of the community," said Dave Crass, attorney for United Ethanol.

United Ethanol's spokesperson Wednesday outlined a five-point plan it is using with Milton's planning commission. The plan focuses on taking a close look at the plant's operations, as well as complaints themselves.

Those points are:

Analyze Odor Complaint Log

Examine Dryer Maintenance

Provide Certified Test Results

Retain National Expert

Increase Communication.

The purpose of the plan is to address concerns of some residents living near the plant who said they are concerned about pollutants.

United Ethanol officials said that they're looking at options to educate the public on what it does as one way to remedy the situation.

"It is more akin to a brewery than it is to a petroleum plant, and so we think by demystifying our operations and also developing tangible responses to some of these complaints, we can improve the situation," said Crass.

Milton City Administrator Todd Schmidt referred to the progress as refreshing and said the city council is quite eager to resolve the odor issue.

All of the items included in the five-point plan have to be met by a deadline of no later than 90 days, and the company will update the planning commission monthly.