WHITE LAKE, NY — The board of the Town of Bethel voted to move forward with their green living push by voting to pursue a grant from New York State to help pay for the installation of a charging station in the town. The vote came at the town meeting on March 22.

In explaining why the town would do this, Supervisor Dan Sturm said the goal is “to lead by example in the community and demonstrate Bethel’s continued support for clean vehicles and environmental and economic benefits that they provide … and reduce range anxiety” for those who own electric vehicles.

He said the goal is to install a charging station with two ports in the parking lot of the Town Justice Court. Sturm said it would be within walking distance of the restaurants and shops in Kauneonga Lake, and will “contribute to our image as an ecotourism center in Sullivan County and the region.”

The travelling public would swipe a credit card for the energy they transfer to their cars.

He said the estimated cost of the charging station is $26,000 and if the grant application to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) is successful, the grant would cover about $16,000 of the total.

Further, Sturm read a letter from county manager Josh Potosek who said that the county is developing an “electric vehicle infrastructure reimbursement program,” which would help municipalities and library districts to pay for a network of charging stations in the county. Potosek said the progam would launch in the second quarter of this year, and he urged Sturm to apply for funding.

There was also a letter from the Sullivan County Visitors Association endorsing the project, saying it would enhance the economic health of the businesses in Kauneonga Lake.

Board member Bernie Cohen noted that there are now about 40 electric vehicles in Sullivan County, and he said, “It might work.”