Hancock officials ask Washington County for backup generators for town water system and town hall

Hancock town officials asked the Washington County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday to help secure backup generators for the town's water supply and town hall, saying an extended power outage would leave residents without running water within days.

The request came during a town presentation in which a Hancock representative described the town's water system as served by two wells with no current backup power. "If we go to an extended period without power in the town of Hancock, after about 3 days, our tanks are gonna be pretty much empty and we're gonna be struggling to supply water to our residents," a Hancock official said.

Town officials told commissioners they have gathered quotes and will provide additional documentation if the county can consider assistance. The town also asked for a generator at town hall so police and administration could operate and shelter residents during outages. A county staff member said three surplus generators will become available in August and offered to provide specifications.

Why it matters: Hancock is a small community that relies on two wells for potable water. Without a backup generator for the well house, town officials said, residents would face an interruption to essential service and the town's community center — which houses police, senior programs and scout activities — would be unable to operate as a local shelter.

County staff discussion and next steps: A county staff member told the meeting, "we do have 3 generators that will become available in August. So if you're interested in a used generator, we likely would be able to donate 1 of the 3." Commissioners asked for the town's estimates and said they were interested in helping; one commissioner noted the town's request appeared reasonable and suggested the county could consider either used or new equipment depending on need and quotes submitted.

Town officials said natural-gas generators are preferred because natural gas is available at both the well house and town hall locations. The county staff member offered to send the technical specifications for the three surplus units and to help size any generator based on pump horsepower.

Other Hancock topics raised during the presentation included continued work on blighted properties, plans for National Night Out (a community splash pad event), preservation and reuse of two cabins in Woodmier Park, and efforts to increase housing and enrollment in the local school. Town officials also described ongoing negotiations with a large private landowner about long-term revenue options for roughly 5,500 acres near the town.

Commissioner responses: Commissioners present expressed support for Hancock's request and asked the town to provide generator quotes and required specifications. One commissioner said the county is likely willing to help in some manner but did not commit to a specific funding amount or procurement action at the meeting.

What was not decided: There was no formal vote recorded on generator funding or procurement at the meeting. County staff agreed to provide the town with the surplus-generator specifications and to review the town's quotes for further consideration.