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Town of Washington gains four EV chargers

Town of Washington gains four EV chargers
From left: Kate Kruk, director of community engagement for Livingston  Energy Group, holds one end of the ribbon at a ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 10, highlighting the new electric charging station at Washington Town Hall. Village Board Trustee Vicky Contino holds the shears, Melaine Rottkamp, president and CEO of Dutchess Tourism looks on, and Washington Town Supervisor Gary Ciferri  holds the other end of the ribbon. 
Photo by Judith O’Hara Balfe

MILLBROOK — With the snip of a very large pair of blue scissors, Millbrook came into the electric charger age on Thursday, Aug. 10, when a ribbon was cut in front of the chargers recently installed at Washington Town Hall.

“In the center of Millbrook, the four public EV charge ports are a vital amenity which will attract visitors to the Village,  serve employees who drive EV’s here and want to top off before heading home, and benefit residents who have or want an electric car but don’t have a charger at home,” said Village Board Trustee Vicky Contino.

After initial research and outreach, in early 2021, Contino was contacted by Livingston Energy Group through the New York Conference of Mayors.

In early fall 2022, Livingston had alerted the municipalities that new grant money was available. Grants were applied for to cover the $59,200 cost of hardware, installation and service fees for four ports.

After a Livingston site visit, a deal was negotiated for a five-year contract for the ports, which would be installed, maintained and networked at no cost to the town or village for the duration of the contract.

By spring 2023, permits were issued, the site was prepared and the installation was completed. This summer the inspection was done, Central Hudson made the connection, the spaces were paved, and, on Aug. 5, the charging station had its first official customer.

Judith O’Hara Balfe

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