The possibility of installing an electric vehicle (EV) charging station in the township building parking lot was a topic of great interest at the June 1 meeting of the Upper Frederick Township Board of Supervisors.

           The township has been approved for a PECO grant that would cover 50% of the cost of preparing the site, up to a maximum of $4,000. Site preparation would include the installation of the electrical wiring and the construction of the pedestal the EV charging station would stand on.

           However, to receive that money, the charging station would need to be installed and functioning by September 9. If the township decides to move forward with this project, it will need to act quickly to meet that deadline.

            Township manager Tracy Tackett has been working with ChargePoint. This American electric vehicle infrastructure company manufactures and operates the   largest online network of independently owned EV charging stations, operating in 14 countries.

            ChargePoint has provided the township with two options. Option 1 is a five-year subscription for $2,400 each year. This option includes installing and maintaining the charging station and all software updates.

            Revenue generated by the charging station would be split with 90 percent going to the township and the remaining 10 percent going to ChargePoint. At the end of the five-year period, the subscription could be renewed with the current or an updated charging station, or the township could purchase the charging station outright.

            Option 2 would be for the township to purchase the charging station for approximately $12,000. If the township chose to pursue this option, it would still subscribe to ChargePoint for station maintenance and all software updates. Revenue generated by the station would be split 90/10 as with option 1.

            The township's Comcast Franchise Agreement, a 12-year contract, is up for renewal. Currently, Upper Frederick receives 5 percent  (the maximum amount the township is allowed to charge) of the revenue generated by Comcast within the township, which amounts to between $60,000 and $70,000 in annual franchise fees. The township's original agreement with Comcast included an upfront payment of $4,500 to the township for infrastructure improvements.

            Manager Tackett was scheduled to speak with Comcast on June 5, where she intended to inquire into the possibility of receiving another similar payment, having Comcast include the government channel in their offer so that the township's supervisors meetings could be televised, and reducing the length of the contract, which Supervisor Thomas Trojansky considered to be excessive.

            Vendor Spots Stevens McCoy (SSM) was commissioned by Upper Frederick Township to prepare a hydrant flow study to address the "system fire flow" throughout the Perkiomen Crossing Development. The study was presented to township residents at the May 4 board meeting.

            At the June 1 meeting, Manager Tackett provided the board with an update on the hydrant flow project. This update included the status of ongoing conversations between the board and the Perkiomen Crossing Homeowner's Association regarding the acquisition of additional land for the project, the financial implications of taking on new debt (e.g., potential fee increases), possible grants to help fund the project, and acquiring proposals for the design and cost estimates for the upgrade.

            Board Vice-Chair Ronald Di Francesco motioned that audio recordings of supervisors meetings be posted on the township's website within five business days. The motion was seconded by Trojansky and passed unanimously.