Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ev Charging topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tamworth Select Board backs EV charging stations and approves grant application
Summary
The Select Board approved a proposal to pursue electric vehicle charging stations on the town lot, voted to support the concept, authorized submission of a New Hampshire DOT grant application (which could cover ~80% of installation), and approved a letter of support.
The Tamworth Select Board voted Tuesday to support exploration of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on the town office parking lot and authorized staff to apply for a New Hampshire Department of Transportation grant that would cover most installation costs.
Gabrielle Watson, chair of the Tamworth Energy Committee, told the board the town is currently a “charging desert” and outlined vendor outreach and site-readiness steps the committee has taken. Watson said the Tamworth Community Nurse Association project left conduit in the town lot, making the site essentially shovel-ready for chargers.
"Our intent would be to put in some chargers in the far corner of the parking lot before summer next year," Watson said. She also described vendor conversations ranging from established networks (ChargePoint) to local entrepreneurs and new private startups.
Board members discussed grant mechanics. Watson said the NHDOT program — which would use federal monies — asks communities to plan for multiple ports; the committee’s preliminary plan calls for four charging ports (two stations with two ports each). She described the program as “quite generous,” noting the state program would cover about 80% of installation costs and that the Inflation Reduction Act direct-pay provision can return additional funds to municipalities.
The board approved three motions on roll call, each by a 3–0 vote: first, support of the concept of EV charging stations on town property; second, authorization to submit the New Hampshire DOT grant application; and third, approval for the chair (or staff) to sign a letter of support for the grant application. The NHDOT application deadline was described as early August, and the board was asked to return a worksheet to NHDOT by week's end.
Watson cautioned that chargers require a maintenance contract and a meter for the station’s electricity; revenues from user fees typically cover energy and ongoing service costs, and the town could set pricing to recover maintenance and potentially generate net revenue.
Next steps: committee to finish vendor research, prepare an RFP, and submit the grant worksheet to NHDOT before the stated early-August deadline.
