Selectmen Approve Grant Application for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Selectmen approved a grant application for electric vehicle charging stations Wednesday night.

The Capital Region Council of Governments has agreed to submit a $32,003 grant application on behalf of the town for three dual charging stations. If awarded, Canton would be responsible for 20 percent, or about $6,400. The federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement Program funds come through the state Department of Transportation.

The plan calls for one on Main Street in Collinsville, one in the town hall parking lot and the third at the community center. Under the estimated timeline in the grant, the stations could be installed by the summer of 2013.

However, if received, the grant would also have to be accepted by selectmen, the Board of Finance and depending on the source of the town’s funds, possibly a town meeting, chief administrative officer Robert Skinner said.

One resident, Peg Berry, spoke in support of the concept during the public portion of the meeting. She also asked selectmen to consider working with Enfield based EVSE LLC, which offers stations with some innovative features such as retractable, overhead cables.

During the meeting, selectmen had few questions on the proposal.

Steve Roberto said he received a call Wednesday from a citizen who was concerned that the stations may be outdated by the time the demand for them truly increases.

He also asked if there would be zoning regulations and Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner said there might be some and added that the historic district may come into play.

"I’m not sure how you make a historic district charging station," he said. 

Selectman Lowell Humphrey said he supported moving the project forward but did wonder if one on Main Street would make eliminate a traditional parking space, which merchants already feel are too few.

“Is this just reserved for electric vehicles?” he asked.

Chief Administrative Officer said that detail, along with others, such as charging rates, would still have to be worked out if the town receives the grant.

First Selectman Richard Barlow said it might make sense to have two stations in the town hall lot rather than one on Main Street.