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Local EV-site owner asks Winhall to back federal funding request for vending and solar canopy
Summary
Erik Moses, owner of an EV charging site on VT Route 30, asked the Selectboard to be the requesting entity for a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) application to fund a customer vending machine and a solar canopy at his private EV site; the board declined to commit without the elected town treasurer Avison's consent and raised concerns about impacts on local businesses and Act 181 conflicts.
Erik Moses, who identified himself as the owner of a 10-EV charging site at 40 VT Route 30, presented a concept he said could leverage Congressionally Directed Spending funds in 2027 to add a customer vending machine stocked with locally produced product samples and a solar-powered canopy over the site. Moses said the project would require the town to act as the requesting entity for the CDS application and asked the Selectboard to authorize the town treasurer to manage any awarded funds. He described the site as "highly rated for customer service" and proposed applying for a grant through Senator Sanders' office.
Selectboard members expressed several concerns: Scott Bushee questioned the propriety of an elected, town-paid treasurer acting on behalf of a private, for-profit enterprise; Kevin Bopp warned of possible conflicts with Act 181; Stacy Eddy-Gordon worried the vending could undercut local businesses; and Beth Grant said she would not sign the town up without Treasurer Avison's explicit consent. The board unanimously agreed it could not commit the town or the treasurer without Avison's written permission and moved the item to a future meeting for more information.
