Aspinwall’s EV stations have turned a small profit since they were activated in September, according to a report by the borough manager.
Melissa Lang O’Malley said charging station revenue was about $578 and electricity costs were $427, which equated to $151 in profit as of Jan. 7.
Three charging stations, each capable of accommodating two vehicles at a time, were installed in the borough parking lot along Commercial Avenue last year.
They are located on the side closest to Jiffy Lube and went live on Sept. 4.
Charging rates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. are $2 per hour for the first two hours and $5 for each additional hour.
Charging rates from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. is a flat $2 per hour.
People can pay via credit card at the machines.
Councilwoman Marcia Cooper said she noticed people using the spaces and sees them as a benefit to the borough.
“I’m encouraged by this EV station usage,” Cooper said on Jan. 8. “It looks like somebody’s using it almost every day.”
O’Malley confirmed stations are used daily, including by one customer who charges a vehicle overnight.
The borough plans to have the spaces painted green to increase visibility.
“Green indicates it’s an EV parking space (and not a regular spot),” O’Malley said. “It’s more or less just an amenity for the community for people that don’t have EV stations to use (at their home), and amenities for people visiting town in EVs. I would anticipate that as people start to recognize that they’re here, they’ll get more and more usage.”
The charging spaces still are treated as regular parking spots.
That means motorists still will have to put money in the borough parking meters and gas-powered vehicles can continue to park there.
The EV stations are part of a project in partnership with Duquesne Light.
In other business
• O’Malley announced Aspinwall was named a Banner Community for the eighth time.
It’s an honor bestowed by the Allegheny League of Municipalities and Allegheny County.
The program recognizes municipalities and municipal authorities that show a commitment to professional development, prudent fiscal management, transparency, accountability and proactive communications to the community.
O’Malley said the borough’s formal recognition by the county will be made sometime in April.
The Allegheny League of Municipalities is a nonprofit created in the early 1960s to coordinate the needs of the area’s local elected officials.
• Councilman Lou Curcio said commercial-grade gutters and a new drainage system were installed at the pavilion in Firemen’s Memorial Park.
The upgrades are expected to address stormwater management issues.
“It’s been a problem for years — ever since I’ve been alive,” Curcio said. “What happens is the water would come off the roofs and just go right onto the floor and become a lake. We’re trying to prevent that stuff.”
• Curcio also announced a timeline for the installation of new multi-use courts and pickleball courts at the recreation site along Field Avenue.
Engineering proposals are expected to be in by early March.
The project would go out for bid in early May and construction would start in July.
Curcio said he hopes to have the courts ready for use in September. The project is not expected to impact Little League baseball.