Jen Metzger, the former Rosendale councilwoman who has been representing District 42 in the New York State Senate for the past two years, was able to secure a $30,000 SAM grant for the town for the purchase of the first of a municipal fleet of electric automobiles. At its December 9 meeting, the Rosendale Town Board voted to apply the state funding toward the replacement of a police cruiser that was recently totaled.
“This is the first in New York State, and only the third or fourth electric car in the nation, that’s patrol-car adaptable,” noted councilman Matt Igoe.
According to town supervisor Jeanne Walsh, the list price of the Tesla vehicle was close to $36,000, but she was able to negotiate a reduced price, and a $2,000 rebate was available. The final price tag was $31,670, with the balance not covered by the grant to be allocated from the Rosendale Police Department budget. Due to reduced activity during the pandemic, “They haven’t been spending much,” Walsh said.
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