DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board expressed its support in continuing to research the prospect of installing level three electric vehicle fast charging stations in town. 

 

During its meeting earlier this month, Green Committee member Tony Pagliarulo gave a presentation by Connecticut solar energy company Earthlight Technologies. 

 

"We have no fast chargers in Berkshire County other than the Tesla banks down in South County. So fast chargers are really the future. I mean, you're going to charge up in 30 to 40 minutes, and then you're on your way," Pagliarulo said. 

 

Due to the number of tax credits and incentives available for the town the insulation of these stations would make the town money, he said. 

 

The total cost of installing the charging stations at Pinegrove would be about $167,000, but the town would receive a $145,000 utility incentive, so it would only have to pay $22,044.08. 

 

This amount would be split into two payments of about $11,000, to be paid in the middle and the conclusion of the project. 

 

However, at the end of the tax year, following the completion of the project, the town will be credited $50,188.89 because it is entitled to 30 percent of the total cost under the Inflation Reduction Act. 

 

"The key to this is that the federal government has realized that municipalities don't get tax credits because we don't pay taxes, but they have provided an alternate means to give the municipalities the amount of money that a private individual would have as a tax credit if they did the same project," Town Manager Tom Hutcheson, said. 

 

The town would earn $28,000 from the installation of these chargers, Pagliarulo said.  

 

"These are 480-volt systems, dual ports, and they'd be metered separately, much like the other chargers [at the Senior Center] or at the CRA."

 

The cost of installing the chargers at Greenridge is slightly more, about $175,000, but the town would receive a utility incentive of approximately $145,000, so it would only be responsible for $27,618.95. 

 

Following the completion of the project at the end of the tax year, the town would be credited $51,861.35 under the IRA tax credit. 

 

Pagliarulo requested that the board approve continued research into this initiative so that it can develop a concrete plan to present to voters at a special town meeting or for the board to consider using American Rescue Plan Act funds at a future meeting. 

 

The ARPA funds are currently frozen until the Police Station issues are addressed. 

 

Another option Pagliarulo is discussing with the company is to see if it would be willing to have the town sign over the credits in lieu of payment if voters approve the initiative during a special town meeting. 

 

The company's representative is running this request "up the ladder" at Earthlight, Pagliarulo said. 

 

"I'm in support of some, particularly when you look at the net cost after tax credit, depreciation, and incentives, which means we're getting paid to put these in," Select Board Vice Chairman Daniel Esko said. 

 

The board had previously approved negotiations with Livingston Energy Group for Direct Current Fast Chargers at Pine Grove Park, the Senior Center, and Greenridge Park, but town counsel and company could not come to an agreement.  

 

"I will say that Livingston Energy, who we had been in contact with and discussion with, did not come through, so we could not reach agreement on that," Pagliarulo said. 

 

"I want to thank [Hutcheson] and our attorney also for the work they did to bring it to a conclusion, but we could not."