Plymouth Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson requested permission from the Board of Public Works and Safety members this week to apply for grant money for a few items.
He explained that he is seeking grant funds to purchase a tripod with a 150-foot retrieval cable for the water department. He said workers often enter confined spaces and this would be a good tool in case something happens and someone needs to be retrieved from an underground space.
For the wastewater staff, he asked to apply for funds to purchase two-way radios that can be used underground. The workers enter vaults, manholes and tunnels and often lose communication. They also work around loud machines and the radios can be used to better communicate with each other.
Davidson did note that money is available in his budget to provide the 20 percent match if the city receives grant funding. The board members unanimously approved the request.
In addition, Davidson asked the board to approve action by the mayor to sign the certificate of completion of the wastewater plant project. The plant recently underwent several upgrades. No change orders are needed as the contractors met the budget parameters.
The city is holding $509,000 in retainage fees for this project until the final punchlist items are done. The board unanimously approved the request.
