NEWINGTON - Newington will have another shot at state grant money that would fully fund the installation of two electric car charging stations and, this time, the town is going for it.

       The Town Council voted 5-2 to apply for the grant, which covers the cost of the two stations as long as it does not exceed $10,000. Because of the April 28 deadline for the application, the Council voted 5-2 to suspend the rules regarding new business and take action on the item at its April 21 meeting.

       â€�"It’s a green project,” said Councilor Terry Borjeson. â€�"It’ll be good for the environment, good for the town, and good for businesses. It’s something we should have done the last time, and I think we should do it now.”

       The last time was in March, when the Council attempted to suspend its rules to take action on the item in order to-again-meet a fast-approaching application deadline. Although the vote was 5-3, it did not represent the two-third majority required.

       On April 21, Republican councilors David Nagel and Beth DelBuono said that although they support the intention of the project, they would like to take more time to decide the best way to pursue such an initiative. Nagel pointed to the $2,000 in yearly costs the town would take on to maintain the charging stations, which, under the grant, it is required to grant free access to.

       â€�"It’s not just $2,000 now-it’s $2,000 perpetually,” Nagel said. â€�"It might not seem like a lot now, but it’s another thing we have on our budget.”

       DelBuono asked whether the stations could be monopolized by people plugging their cars in for long periods of time.

       â€�"Most of the time it’s transient-people charge it a few hours while they’re shopping,” said Town Manager John Salomone. â€�"It’s not something where you park it there the whole day.”

       Councilors said that if they receive the grant, they could look into ways to work with the police department to prevent motorists from camping at the stations too long.

       The grant application requires that the stations be installed close to a â€�"major traffic generator,” such as a town hall or downtown area.Newington will have another shot at state grant money that would fully fund the installation of two electric car charging stations and, this time, the town is going for it.

       The Town Council voted 5-2 to apply for the grant, which covers the cost of the two stations as long as it does not exceed $10,000. Because of the April 28 deadline for the application, the Council voted 5-2 to suspend the rules regarding new business and take action on the item at its April 21 meeting.

       â€�"It’s a green project,” said Councilor Terry Borjeson. â€�"It’ll be good for the environment, good for the town, and good for businesses. It’s something we should have done the last time, and I think we should do it now.”

       The last time was in March, when the Council attempted to suspend its rules to take action on the item in order to-again-meet a fast-approaching application deadline. Although the vote was 5-3, it did not represent the two-third majority required.

       On April 21, Republican councilors David Nagel and Beth DelBuono said that although they support the intention of the project, they would like to take more time to decide the best way to pursue such an initiative. Nagel pointed to the $2,000 in yearly costs the town would take on to maintain the charging stations, which, under the grant, it is required to grant free access to.

       â€�"It’s not just $2,000 now-it’s $2,000 perpetually,” Nagel said. â€�"It might not seem like a lot now, but it’s another thing we have on our budget.”

       DelBuono asked whether the stations could be monopolized by people plugging their cars in for long periods of time.

       â€�"Most of the time it’s transient-people charge it a few hours while they’re shopping,” said Town Manager John Salomone. â€�"It’s not something where you park it there the whole day.”

       Councilors said that if they receive the grant, they could look into ways to work with the police department to prevent motorists from camping at the stations too long.

       The grant application requires that the stations be installed close to a â€�"major traffic generator,” such as a town hall or downtown area.