MURFREESBORO – Main Street in Murfreesboro may soon have the nostalgic feel residents and council members were hoping for.

After two estimates that exceeded the amount of Murfreesboro’s enhancement grant, which will be used to help the town replace its old streetlights with elegant lamps, Dominion Power representative Bryant Brooks was able to present a more feasible estimate.

The estimate, which calls for $169,525.50 to reroute wiring, $32,289.27 to install 13 streetlights on the south side of Main Street, $9,000 to relocate electrical service front to back at six Main Street locations, $35,876 to reroute Sprint service and $7,461 to reroute Adelphia, the total would run approximately $254,151.77.

Brooks explained that the lower estimate was the result of some changes having to do with the removal of a tie switch that placed two circuits together.

&uot;Because we have created that additional flexibility there is not a lot of re-conductor cost,&uot; he said.

He also noted the change would mean reduced materials and labor costs because Dominion would be putting up a smaller unit.

&uot;The only thing that is different about the project is the lowered cost to the town,&uot; he said.

Concerned with the time frame in which the town would have to utilize the grant funds, Brooks encouraged the Town Council members not to postpone getting started and submitted that Dominion contractors could begin as early as mid-end of April to the beginning of May.

&uot;I think we can move quickly and expedite the work, barring any weather setbacks,&uot; he said, eager to move ahead with the enhancements.

Brooks estimated it would likely take between six and eight weeks to complete the relocation of overhead equipment.

&uot;If we move fairly quickly, we can work within the parameters of the grant,&uot; he said.

In response to a question asked by Town Administrator Molly Eubank regarding whether the town could use the old light fixtures in one of its parking lots instead of throwing them away, Brooks stated that Dominion would collect the lamps and give the town credit for them.

Following the suggestion of Murfreesboro Mayor Ben McLean, Council members agreed to place the issue on the agenda for next week in order to review its options before making its final decision.

Brooks said Dominion could be ready to purchase the supplies necessary to begin the work as soon as it receives a letter of authorization from the town.

The total amount of the enhancement grant is $324,190.