WASHINGTON (Oct. 4, 2021) - Washington Borough is "charged" up.

Thanks to a matching grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Washington Borough is the first community in Warren County to offer a public charging station for electric cars. The charging station is located in the back of the large public parking lot (44 E. Washington Avenue) in the center of the Downtown.

A ceremonial ribbon cutting was held on Saturday, Oct. 2. Among the special guests for the occasion were Warren County Commissioner Director James R. Kern III and Commissioner Lori Ciesla; Washington Borough Councilwoman Josephine Noone (also a Washington Business Improvement District Board Member); WBID Board Member Marian Bredin; and Darryl Wright of the municipal Department of Public Works, who also is a member of the Washington Borough Land Use Board. Also participating were Ed Rossi of Rossi Chevrolet and Tyler Smith from Smith Motors, who brought all-electric vehicles Bolt and Mustang, respectively, to the event.

Washington Green Team member Bob Valinski was the first resident to charge his vehicle. Also representing the Green Team at the ribbon cutting were Suzi Marr, Chris Vitalos and Elizabeth Dilorio Dowd. 

"A great addition for the business community, and the community at-large," said Melanie Thiel, WBID Executive Director. "With more and more people buying hybrid and all-electric vehicles, charging stations will be more important than ever. For those owning an electric vehicle they can plug in while shopping downtown. This will be a wonderful convenience for them."

The program, called “It Pays to Plug In”, is offered through the NJDEP.  The program was advertised at the New Jersey League of Municipalities two years ago and Thiel began the process of getting the charger shortly thereafter. Borough Manager Matt Hall was also instrumental in helping to secure the grant, which ultimately was approved by the WBID Board of Directors.

"We applied and received $8,000 for the ChargePoint CT4000 Level II Charging Station," she said, adding that the grant covers half the cost with the WBID paying the balance on behalf of the businesses.

Vehicle owners wishing to use the charger simply need to set up an account on an app on their phone. This app can be then used at any ChargePoint charger across the country. Scanning the owner's ChargePoint bar code at the charging station will unlock the plug which is then inserted into the vehicle.

L-R, Tyler Smith of Smith Motors, Ed Rossi of Rossi Chevrolet, Warren County Commissioner Director James R. Kern III, Washington BID Executive Director Melanie Thiel, Borough Councilwoman Josephine Noone and Warren County Commissioner Lori Ciesla.

Preparing to cut the ribbon to open the new charging station for electric vehicles in Washington Borough.