Wiscasset selectmen Jan. 6 are set to eye letting a company keep electric vehicle charging stations in the park and ride lot at the town office. 

Economic Development Director Aaron Chrostowsky tells the board in a Dec. 30 memo, Railroad Avenue would have been preferable, but was a no-go because the area the chargers would have gone there is state-owned.

According to the memo, ReVision Energy seeks to partner with the town, at no cost to the town; and Efficiency Maine is taking proposals for its latest funding round until Jan. 20. 

“ReVision has identified a third-party entity willing to cover the local share and to install, own, maintain, and operate four new DC Fast Chargers in Wiscasset. The Town's role would be to license or lease space to the selected third-party operator.”

Chrostowsky said access to chargers has become a “key factor” in travel planning and other economic activity as EV use grows in Maine and the nation. And he said hosting the chargers could help Wiscasset compete as a “waypoint” on the coastal corridor, and compete for state and federal grants and other deals. 

“Small towns located along major travel corridors, such as Wiscasset on U.S. Route 1, are uniquely positioned to benefit from early investment in EV charging … Federal and state programs increasingly prioritize rural and small-town EV infrastructure. This proposal leverages those programs to secure grant funding and private-sector investment at no cost to the Town.”

Chrostowsky said the stations would add to foot traffic for businesses, and have other benefits. “EV drivers plan their routes around charging availability. Wiscasset sits on one of Maine's most heavily traveled tourism routes … Providing EV charging enhances the Town's visibility on regional charging maps and travel apps, positioning Wiscasset as a reliable waypoint for visitors traveling to Midcoast and Down East destinations.”

The memo adds, hosting public chargers would help residents who cannot charge their EV’s at home; would aid “workforce mobility and (show) that Wiscasset is preparing for future transportation needs”; and would lower greenhouse gas emissions and up the air quality, in keeping with the town’s commitment to cutting emissions as outlined in the February 2024 Municipal Climate Change Resolution. 

Besides the Railroad Avenue lot and the park and ride at the town office, sites evaluated were the town parking lots on Water and Middle streets, Wiscasset Community Center, the waterfront and Wiscasset Municipal Airport.

Chrostowsky tells selectmen the funding requires a site to be within a mile’s drive of designated roadway segments and have access to three-phase power.

Chrostowsky recommends the board authorize town staff to work with ReVision Energy to respond to Efficiency Maine's request for proposals, “contingent upon the Town's proposal to include the licensing or leasing of space to a third-party entity to install, own, maintain, and operate the chargers at no cost to the Town.”

Also Jan. 6, the board will consider naming Sherri Dunbar to the ordinance review committee and David Sutter to the appeals board.

Selectmen meet at 6 p.m. at the town office. The meeting can also be accessed via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89949074298?

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