Ideal Plans a Safe Harbor for Residents

In October 2017, Ideal Township near Crosslake purchased and installed an auxiliary generator adjacent to the township building in hopes of creating a “safe harbor” for emergency situations

Curt Johnson, Ideal Township supervisor, says had it not been for the generosity of donations and special funding, this project never would have been realized. In addition to a $10,000 donation from the Ideal Community Service Organization, the township received $2,500 in Small Project Partnership funding from Sourcewell.

The generator is part of the township's initiative to improve public safety in response to recent extreme weather events in the area that have caused widespread and extended power outages.

Having a standby generator at the Town Hall means the township government and fire department can function uninterrupted in the event of a power outage. It also allows the Town Hall to become a safe harbor where residents can obtain water, charge mobile devices, or even seek shelter after a damaging storm.

The 60kw Kohler generator has sufficient capacity to power the Town Hall and keep all systems operating. Of particular importance is the ability to keep approximately $4 million in fire equipment from freezing during cold weather.

“In the summer season, with a high volume of tourists, this is critical for the safety of these visitors, as well as for the number of snowbirds that return to their summer cabins,” says Johnson. “The residents of Ideal Township are very comforted knowing the Town Hall now has a safe harbor element.”