M'burgh May Seek Grant for EV Station

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - The Village of Middleburgh may apply for a state grant that would pay for two electric vehicle charging stations.

The grant from the state Department of Environmental Conservation requires no local match. The grant application is due on February 27, 2026. Village board members agreed at their December meeting to move forward.

The board will hold off on a final decision until Amanda Whalen from MVEDD discusses it in more depth with members in January, Mayor Tim Knight said.

The proposal was discussed by the village grants committee in November before coming to the village board.

If approved, the EV recharging station will probably be placed by the Depot at the corner of Wells and Maple avenues. Officials said the location is close enough for motorists to walk downtown to shop or eat while their vehicle is charging. Other areas were considered but some had to be dismissed because they were in the floodplain.

Village attorney Fred Mauhs noted that when drivers of EV vehicles get off the Thruway onto Route 145 in Catskill, it is "a desert" for charging stations.

The state is providing $5 million for charging stations. Village officials said it would cost about $250,000 to construct them. The stations would be level 3 providing quicker charges. It would cost the village about $800 a year for electricity and other requirements. The village would have to maintain the stations for at least 10 years.

Board members were in favor of applying for the grant.

The stations would be one more thing the village has that other villages do not, Trustee Bob Tinker said. The stations would probably be used a lot, he added.

He also noted there are already surveillance cameras at the Depot.

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In other action, board members:

Heard that there will be a ribbon cutting for the Windswept Farm and Apothecary on Main Street on Saturday at 1pm.

* Heard that an order to remedy was issued by the code officer on Maple Avenue. He also issued permits for two roof-mounted solar arrays.

* Set a year-end meeting for Monday. December 29 at 7pm at the village hall.