WINFIELD, W.Va. - Putnam County residents with Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive disabilities might soon have a safety net if they become confused or lost.

County commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Mark Smith to apply for a grant to implement Project Lifesaver.

The project provides personalized radio transmitters and electronic tracking equipment to find people with cognitive disabilities like Alzheimer's disease and autism. People with those types of disorders have a higher risk of wandering off or becoming confused.

"It's not constant monitoring," Smith said. "But we have a electronic receiver to use in times of emergency."

The $50,000 grant would be doled out in eight increments. The county will be provided with $6,000 to purchase the project's starter kit, which includes three transmitters and tracking equipment.

After training, the county will buy 10 more bracelets, Smith said. The grant requires the county to maintain the program for five years, he said.

"This is not something that is going to start today or tomorrow," he said. "We're looking two, three, four months down the road before getting it running."

The bracelets cost $300 apiece and require a battery change every month. Those who take part in the program will be required to pay an initial fee then an additional $10 every month. 

He said families interested in taking part in Project Lifesaver should contact the sheriff's office. Once the program is established, applications will be sent out to those interested, he said.

In other business, commissioners approved a bid from Kanawha Stone Company Inc. to build roads and sewer lines as part of a tax-increment financing district for the Devonshire Development.

WINFIELD, W.Va. - Putnam County residents with Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive disabilities might soon have a safety net if they become confused or lost.

County commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Mark Smith to apply for a grant to implement Project Lifesaver.

The project provides personalized radio transmitters and electronic tracking equipment to find people with cognitive disabilities like Alzheimer's disease and autism. People with those types of disorders have a higher risk of wandering off or becoming confused.

"It's not constant monitoring," Smith said. "But we have a electronic receiver to use in times of emergency."

The $50,000 grant would be doled out in eight increments. The county will be provided with $6,000 to purchase the project's starter kit, which includes three transmitters and tracking equipment.

After training, the county will buy 10 more bracelets, Smith said. The grant requires the county to maintain the program for five years, he said.

"This is not something that is going to start today or tomorrow," he said. "We're looking two, three, four months down the road before getting it running."

The bracelets cost $300 apiece and require a battery change every month. Those who take part in the program will be required to pay an initial fee then an additional $10 every month. 

He said families interested in taking part in Project Lifesaver should contact the sheriff's office. Once the program is established, applications will be sent out to those interested, he said.

In other business, commissioners approved a bid from Kanawha Stone Company Inc. to build roads and sewer lines as part of a tax-increment financing district for the Devonshire Development.

Kanawha Stone, based in Nitro, bid $2.47 million to improve Hedrick and Teays Valley roads, in addition to sewer lift stations and waterlines.

County Administrator Brian Donat said construction would "start as fast as humanly possible."

 Last week, commissioners took its final step to secure $3 million in bond orders for the TIF district, which is funded by money from increased property tax assessments from year to year.

Devonshire, just off Hedrick Road in Scott Depot, will be the county's largest housing development and will include 537 luxury rental apartments, 174 townhouses, 70 condominiums and 59 single-family lots.

Also Tuesday, commissioners reviewed two bids for a new county EMS truck ambulance. The bids were from Custom Truck & Body Works Inc. of Woodbury, Ga., for $123,870, and from J&J Emergency Vehicle Sales in Morgantown for $137,100.

Cecil Kimble, the county's EMS director, said the county has had problems with the Georgia company before, and recommended commissioners spend the extra money and go with J&J Sales.

Commissioner Joe Haynes and Stephen Andes said they would review the bids, but made no official decision.

In other business:

Reach Veronica Nett at veroni...@wvgazette.com">veroni...@wvgazette.com or 348-5113.