A change in the way the City of Plymouth handles sewage has led to an update in the way the city may pay for certain items. An ordinance amendment allowing the city to prepay certain claims was approved by the Common Council last week.
What led to the change was Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson’s request to purchase a used dump trailer for a cost of $25,000. “This unit is in Fredericksburg, Virginia,” he explained to the Board of Works. “And what we’re proposing to do is to drive out and pick the trailer up, and then at that particular time, transfer a cashier’s check in trade for the title. But we would like to get permission from the board to proceed with that purchase. Technically, according to, I think, statute, we cannot pay for something unless we’re in possession of the materials or the services provided.”
Plymouth City Attorney Sean Surrisi says that rather than waiting to approve the claim at its next meeting, the Board of Works could pre-approve the claim, but only if the Common Council took action to allow prepayment. The council approved the ordinance update on all three readings during last week’s meeting. That allowed the Board of Works to grant permission to purchase the trailer, if it meets the city’s standards.
Davidson said that used restroom trailers was needed, due to a change in the way the city will handle bio-solids, following upgrades currently underway at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
