With the closing of two major industries in Plymouth, the Utilities Department, Water and Sewer, is taking a big hit. Bay Valley Foods had announced several weeks ago that they would be stopping operations in Plymouth. On Tuesday of this week, Del Monte Foods gathered employees to tell them that operations at the Plymouth location would begin position eliminations in November and cease operations in February, 2018.
According to Donnie Davidson, Utilities Superintendent, the closing of Del Monte will mean a loss of $200,000 annually for water and waste water filtration. Davidson said the closing of Bay Valley Foods translates into a loss of $750,000 in annual revenue for his department for both water provided as well as waste water not being treated.
The multi-million dollar project for improvement to the city’s utilities in already in progress. Davidson said, “We are already committed to the project.” He indicated that the project is needed to replace 30-year old equipment and to sustain their organic capacity.
Davidson said their revenues and expenditures are already under review. He said they did not replace an employee who left this year and anticipate not replacing an employee who is retiring.
Any rate increases that could occur to maintain services would have to be approved by the Plymouth Common Council. Davidson said, “For years and years our rates have been well below the average for cities our size.” He said they will do everything possible to avoid increase knowing the difficulties of many individuals, especially those on fixed incomes, to pay for an increase.
Davidson is confident that other industries will see Plymouth as a prime location since Plymouth can handle organic capacity or high strength wastewater needs. He pointed to the loss several years ago of Proctor & Gamble and Salad Time that were replaced by other food related industries.
Carol Anders Correspondent
