If you have been inclined to take a nice walk or bike ride on the Rail Trail on a beautiful fall weekend and have driven downtown to do so, you may and have found, after searching for a space in the parking lot (the lot designated for motor vehicles, not the empty one for boat trailers) or on Railroad Avenue, that there are four less spaces available. Two new electric vehicle charging stations, providing four charging ports, have been installed for the convenience of anyone lucky enough to own an EV. These select few can charge their cars while they walk or cycle the boardwalk and return to a re-charged ride.
These new public services are provided by the town at the courtesy of the electric company, who has generously provided a substantial grant to pay for the installation of these devices at very little cost to the town. I am told that the town will reap any profits from the electricity rental the AV owners credit cards will provide. This appears to be a “win-win” situation, but not so much for the walker/cyclist who arrived in a gas-powered vehicle searching for a parking space. Oh well, that’s progress.
In addition to the two charging stations at the rail trail parking lot, two more have been installed at the police station. At first I assumed they would be for police use only, then I wondered if their use would include anyone who had been arrested for a motor vehicle violation. The culprits could charge their EV while resting in our local lockup.
But no, I have discovered that they are for public use which might work out nicely for someone who could drop off their vehicle at the station and hop across the street to the coffee shop for lunch. When they finished their noon repast, they could return to a fully-charged car. If this became popular, the police might have to initiate an appointment policy. If it became really popular, the town would have to find funds to install a crosswalk and pedestrian light; a small price to pay for another valuable public service. Too bad, too. I’ve been thinking of opening my own charging station service at the end of my driveway, just to make a few extra bucks. But I wouldn’t want to compete with the town.
As you may have guessed, I have a few ideas for other innovative services the town may wish to provide its citizens.
There may be times when your bicycle has a flat tire or just needs a boost of air. The gas station around the corner from my house charges $1.50 for four minutes of air. An air pump conveniently installed at the beginning of the rail trail would be a nice service. A buck fifty here and a buck fifty there could really add to the town coffers.
Remember those green e-bikes that were around the village a couple of years back (maybe they were blue, I forget)? You just used your phone to rent an hour or more of time and the bikes magically responded. People didn’t even have to return them. They could just leave them anywhere after they completed their ride. We should bring those back so the non-bicycle owner and non-walker crowd can enjoy the beautiful scenery along the rail trail.
A liquid refreshment vending machine would be a nice addition. After a long ride or walk replenishing your electrolytes is important. I am sure the Health Department would endorse that especially if there were a small profit in there for them.
Winter is coming and many folks may continue to traverse the rail trail. There are a few resting benches along the trail. It gets mighty cold in January. Wouldn’t it be nice if the town provided a hand blower like the one in the wharf men’s room to unthaw your frozen fingers? Or better yet, a small warming shelter, say halfway? Just insert your credit or debit card into the slot and get 15 minutes of warming relief from the brisk winds off the harbor. They could have Wi-Fi…for an additional charge of course…and a phone charging station too.
Another nice public service could be to provide a restroom at that warming shelter I mentioned. It’s a long walk from the trail to the town wharf. When you got to’ go, you got to go!
Mattapoisett resident Dick Morgado is an artist and happily retired writer. His newspaper columns appeared for many years in daily newspapers around Boston.
Thoughts on…
By Dick Morgado