Dobbs Ferry board adopts local law to allow village EV chargers, authorizes fee schedule

The Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees on June 9 adopted a local law to authorize village-owned electric vehicle charging stations and to allow the village to set a fee schedule covering electricity and operating costs.

The public hearing opened at the start of the meeting and board members said the county has offered to cover the installation costs for chargers the village will accept and operate. The local law revises chapter 290 (Vehicles and Traffic) to give the village authority to establish rates for use of those chargers so they do not operate at a loss; the rates will be included in the village fee schedule and can be adjusted by resolution.

The board emphasized the change applies only to chargers the village installs and operates, not to private chargers on private property or those in shopping areas. Trustees also said parking spaces with chargers will remain available for non-EV vehicles in the short term; the chargers provide an option to charge in municipal lots for residents without home charging.

The board moved and approved the local law after the hearing. No public speakers opposed the measure during the hearing.

The action is a step in a longer process: staff said the village will coordinate with the county and ChargePoint (the vendor referenced by staff) on any additional service fees and will include explanatory materials in an upcoming village newsletter to help residents understand how the stations will operate and be billed.

The board closed the hearing and adopted the local law by voice vote.