The approval of the purchase of EV Charging Stations for the borough, which was unanimous at this week’s meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council, was the culmination of a project more than two years old.
Council approved a contact totaling $136,807.33 with Bryan Electric, without competitive bidding, A $24,000 portion of that is financed through a grant and the award without bidding with an approved co-op authorized by the state Department of Treasury.
Councilman Brian Dougherty, who joined the process in January, 2022, explained the benefits of the purchase in detail at the meeting, separating the resolution from the consent agenda in order to detail the importance and advantages of the purchase.
The council president said he began working with Environmental Committee Chairman Blake Deakin shortly after starting his term on council in January, 2022, in order to bring EV charging service equipment to the borough at minimal cost.
He and Deakin applied for grants to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and were successful in being awarded grants from both applications. The pair than began the net process of negotiating with EVCS installation companies and considered several different locations.
Because of the Seastreak ferry terminal location at the municipal harbor area, that was considered the most desirable site for the first chargers, Dougherty explained. Such a location would seem to ensure use of the charges by ferry commuters during the work week, thus providing a revenue stream for the borough.
The marina is the recreational center of community as well, Dougherty continued, attracting boaters, fishermen, tennis and basketball players, and users of the Henry Hudson trail as well as others. In addition, the harbor is also a short walk to some of the borough’s most popular eateries, including On the Deck, Sissy’s, Harborside, Gaslight, Christine’s Italian, Hudson Café, as well as several shops and other businesses.
Both Dougherty and Deakin then worked with Bryan Electric, the top ChargePoint installer in the state, to design a detailed proposal for installation of three-dual, level two chargers, six stations in all. “We felt the proposal was reasonably priced, especially when incentive programs from JCP&L and the federal government added to our grant monies available,” the councilman explained.
With the unanimous approval of the station, Dougherty said “we are eligible to apply for and receive monies from their programs. Since we will own the charging stations, Atlantic Highlands will earn revenue as soon as the stations are operational.
Dougherty also cited other key personnel who have helped move the acquisition to the present, including the mayor, borough administrator, borough engineer, chief of police, DPW director, fire marshal, code enforcement officer, harbor master, and harbor commission chair. Officials then met with Seastreak personnel who he said are also enthusiastic about the project. “This was truly a collaborative effort. I can’t thank everyone enough for their great help,” Dougherty said.
After the unanimous vote, he added “I am thrilled to get this project approved. I think it will benefit commuters, our residents, and our businesses. Since these charging stations will be visible on the ChargePoint network, one of the largest providers in the country, it will attract visitors to our community.”
Neighboring Highlands has had a charging station in its municipal lot on Bay avenue since last November. They retained Livingston for the engineering, permits., purchase and installation of the DC Fast charging station at a cost of $165,400. A grant of $75,000 from the NJ Department of Tourism covered a portion of the overall bill
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