Somerville Traffic Commission OKs EV Chargers and First Parking Fee Hike Since 2019

Other Committee · Meeting of May 14, 2026

Somerville Traffic Commission unanimously approves EV charging expansion and long-overdue parking fee hikes. The five-member commission, chaired by Commissioner Eric Wiseman, voted 5-0 Thursday to authorize four new EV charging spaces across three city lots: Foss Park, Lombardi Street, and a new site on Oliver Street near the Capuano School and Glen Park. Sustainability Planner Josh Eckert Lee said the Foss Park installation, funded through the Mass Clean Energy Center's Ride Clean Mass program, is also moving through City Council approval.

The board separately voted 5-0 to raise parking permit and meter fees for the first time since 2016 and 2019, respectively, with 30-day contractor permits rising from $35 to $50; senior and accessible permits remain free. Eckert Lee also previewed a proposed EV charging rate increase from 25 cents to 35 cents per kilowatt hour at standard chargers and 50 cents per kilowatt hour at Foss Park's new fast chargers, a recommendation that will go to the mayor.

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Source: the Other Committee meeting of May 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.