Town May Move Ahead With Plan for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The town — pending the Board of Selectmen's approval — is moving forward with a grant application that would fund three electric vehicle charging stations. 

Today, the town is submitting a $32,003 proposal to the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) for three dual-charging stations — two in Collinsville and one at the community center, Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner said. CRCOG has also agreed to hold this final application until after Wednesday night since selectmen do have to approve it. 

Selectmen approved a letter of intent for the idea in November and Skinner said his understanding is that CRCOG has agreed to apply for the funds on the behalf of towns that are interested in stations, including Canton. If the town does receive the grant, it would still need Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance and perhaps Town Meeting approval, Skinner said. 

The funding itself would come from the federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement Program and the town would be responsible for 20 percent, or about $6,400. 

The stations would use the town's electricity but are set up to accept credit cards. Rates and other details would need to be worked out, Skinner said. 

The plan, as written, is to install one on Main Street near Town Hall, one in the Town Hall parking lot and one at the community center. Skinner said it makes sense to have two in Collinsville, since it is an active area and electric car owners are able to look up charging locations. 

"It's the convenience of coming into town and hopefully increases Collinsville as a destination," he said.