The town of Standish is bracing for the loss of its largest private employer, while the town’s state representative is working with state officials to try and change the company’s mind.

State Rep. Gary Moore, R-Standish, called on Gov. John Baldacci Wednesday to use “all the powers of his office” to prevent Sensata Technologies from closing its plant in Standish and moving the manufacturing operation to the Dominican Republic.

Sensata Technologies, located on Route 35 near Sebago Lake Village, is Standish’s largest private employer with about 200 employees. Moore and other government leaders are most concerned about the effect the closing will have on the workers and families, many of whom live in Standish, who will lose their jobs.

“We’re trying to salvage what we can here. Olympia Snowe’s and Susan Collins’ offices in Augusta are meeting with officials to do everything they can,” Moore said.

Moore is also working closely with the governor’s office in order to prevent what he calls a “serious economic blow to the town of Standish.”

“I have called on the governor to launch an immediate intervention and to use all the powers available to him to induce the company to remain here,” Moore said. “He could provide tax incentives equivalent to Pine Tree Zone tax breaks to keep the company here. He should pursue all avenues under his authority. This is a true emergency in our community, and the governor needs to get involved immediately.”

One ray of hope, Moore said, is the possibility the company might keep a skeleton crew in Standish or in a nearby community. In his conversations with Sensata representatives, Moore said the company told him there was a possibility they may keep a 25-member research and development team “in the area.”

Company officials told Moore that the 200 or so production workers scheduled to be let go will receive a severance package equivalent to four weeks’ pay, plus a week’s pay for every year they have worked at the plant. Health insurance coverage would end three months after an employee’s separation date.

Moore visited the company Wednesday, soon after learning about the move from Jack Cashman, a senior economic policy advisor on the governor’s staff. Moore spoke with Sensata officials, who explained that the company plans to move its manufacturing operation over the next 18 months and put its Standish facility up for sale.

The Standish plant, which makes sensors for use in automobiles and consumer products, began as a Sylvania operation several decades ago. Until recently, it was known as Control Devices, an offshoot of Honeywell. Sensata, a $1.5-billion company with nine technology and manufacturing centers in eight countries, grew out of Texas Instruments, it was acquired by the investment firm Bain Capital LLC last April.

Sensata Technologies in Standish to close