The process of looking into installing three generators around town in case of a wide-area loss of power is slowly but surely getting started.

The idea to install generators so residents could still pump gasoline and water should a regional blackout occur was originally proposed by Town Board Vice Chairman John McDonald in February.

Dan Sprouse agreed to meet with the Emergency Management Homeland Security advisory board and look into developing a plan.

The plan thus far is to install three generators around town.

One would be permanently installed at the main fire station on Highway 160, and two portable generators would be placed at the Bob Ruud Community Center and the Town Office.

So far a very preliminary fee proposal by DL Engineering and Controls, Inc., a contractor recommended by WillDan Engineering Associates, for the long and complex groundwork that's necessary estimates the total cost at $54,075.

Design services would take up $32,167 of that and the remaining $21,908 would fund construction services. The services included in the estimated fee encompass everything but the generators themselves and the cost of installing them.

The pre-construction phase of the project consists of designing the electrical system and automatic transfer switches and the preparation of bid documents.

During the construction phase, the charges cover reviewing submittals; attend project meetings, electrical observations, the preparation of record drawings, assisting with the constructions management, and of course responding to any requests for information.

However, this is just the first look into the possible cost of project and should the board actually approve it the services would go out to bid. As such, the numbers could change drastically between now and when the actual project begins, if it is even approved.