Framingham officials have been working to launch a pilot program for on-street electric vehicle charging. Lincoln Street, by the main public library branch, has garnered the most positive feedback from residents so far.
FRAMINGHAM - The Framingham Traffic Commission heard updates on efforts to create more on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Framingham during their meeting on Tuesday, August 26.
Framingham is partnering with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) as well as Commonwealth Electrical Technologies and Leidos for a pilot program to install more EV stations in the community. MassCEC is providing $500,000 for the initiative with the goal of placing three or four of these stations within the city.
Research provided to the Traffic Commission by Framingham’s Sustainability Coordinator Shawn Luz on Tuesday shows that while the number of fossil fuel-based vehicles in the city has remained consistent from the start of 2020 through April 1 of this year, plug-in electric vehicles have seen a 507% increase locally (1,038 in total) while the number of plug-in hybrid EVs has gone up 277% (588 in total).
Local leaders have been looking for feedback from residents on these EV charging plans, as 11 potential sites across Framingham have been considered and surveyed. Luz told The Frame last month that these sites are meant to “reduce barriers” for residents with these stations.
During Tuesday’s Traffic Commission meeting, Luz explained that the number of sites has now been narrowed down to four.
Luz mentioned that the Lincoln Street site, adjacent to the main branch of the Framingham Public Library, received the highest score in their community survey. The coordinator did say he is aware of the parking situation there, though he believes that the pilot program could be a way to bring more specific parking designations to the area.
“I think, generally speaking, I would like to explore…the idea of having the spaces—especially in really parking-constricted areas—having them be available for everybody during the day, and then at night being exclusively electric vehicles only,” Luz said on Tuesday.
“That would give some flexibility during the day for anybody to park there.”
Luz added that the preference is to have overnight parking available through this program.
Additional areas in contention for on-street EV parking in Framingham are Union Ave by the Memorial Building, Butterworth Park, and Waverly Street by the MBTA station. The portion of Pleasant Street by the Centre Common was identified as a backup option, though Luz said it’s not the most ideal spot due to the area’s electric capacity.
Members of the Traffic Commission asked planners to consider factors such as street sweeping and emergency situations, such as severe snow. They also inquired about signage, as DPW Representative for the commission Matthew Hayes asked Luz to explore explicit signs that outline what is and is not permitted with these new EV charging stations.
“It’s getting complex: who can park where, when can they park, what overrides what, what doesn’t override, things like that,” Hayes continued.
Luz said the site selection process should be wrapped up in mid-September. The Traffic Commission will pick the matter back up during their meeting on Tuesday, September 23.
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Esta semana no The Frame: Os candidatos à prefeitura Charlie Sisitsky e Geoff Epstein participam de um debate, líderes locais comemoram o programa de combate à insegurança alimentar da Igreja Comunitária da Grande Framingham e um olhar sobre um novo programa local de compostagem na calçada.
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