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Select Board accepts $3,350 in donations, creates trust fund for town EV chargers
Summary
The Tamworth Select Board voted May 12 to accept $3,350 in private donations and establish a trust to hold funds for installation and maintenance of electric vehicle chargers at the Town Office parking lot; the Energy Committee reported $15,000 in pledged donations but noted a June 30 tax-credit deadline may be missed.
The Tamworth Select Board on May 12 voted unanimously to accept $3,350 in private donations and establish a new trust fund to hold money for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at the Town Office parking lot.
Gabrielle Watson of the Energy Committee said the town has about $15,000 pledged from individuals and companies toward chargers but has not yet received grant funding. Town Administrator Emily Nolan told the board donated money would be placed with the Trustees of Trust Funds and managed there; Nolan said donations would include signed donor authorizations to ensure gifts are used for the intended project.
Chair Karl Behr moved to accept the $3,350 and direct that the funds be held by the trustees in a new Energy Improvements on Town Buildings and Infrastructure Trust Fund; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote in which all five board members voted yes. Nolan clarified that revenue from charger usage would be recorded in the town’s operating budget rather than the trust; Prentice pressed that fee levels be set so surplus covers maintenance and repair rather than relying on tax dollars.
Watson said the town might qualify for a 30% IRS tax credit if chargers are installed by June 30, but she cautioned that meeting that deadline may be unlikely. The board discussed vendor and subcontracting options for concrete and electrical work, and whether setting or changing charging fees would require a public hearing; Watson confirmed the board can set rates and adjust them, and Nolan noted the trustees would scrutinize donation terms. Becky Mason raised at public comment that the state Public Utilities Commission may have authority over EV charging rates; the board said it would convey that to the Energy Committee for clarification.
Next steps: the Energy Committee and town staff will continue fundraising, refine vendor and site plans, and coordinate with the Trustees of Trust Funds on donation administration. The board’s action accepted the funds and established the trust but did not commit taxpayer funds or set an installation date.
