DAN'S PAPERS, April 11, 2008 Page 26 www.danshamptons.com
Moran
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community. As we wait and see the fate of the McGintee administration, pending investigations into the use of $8 million from the CPF for projects other than preservation, there is tremendous pressure on the board in terms of how these funds are used. In all fairness, this administration has made a name for itself, saving a tremendous amount of property for the Town. At the meeting, the board immediately recognized the value of the Thomas Moran house and the need to restore the property. With just one person in the room voicing opposition
ment that was passed by the board requires that the studio space be restored within three years and that the outside grounds be cleaned up and maintained. The entire $500,000 easement will go towards restoration of the property. Guild Hall raised millions of dollars to restore the John Drew Theater, bringing the arts back to East Hampton in a way that rivals the activity when the hall was built. The future restoration of the Thomas Moran House, using CPF monies, is another jewel in the crown for the Village.
explained Birke. “We are also selling them to college campuses, including Queens College, Farmingdale University and possibly Stony Brook Southampton University, and they are also great for driving around places like hospitals and golf clubs.” But unlike golf carts, the “MILES Automotive 2XS Advanced Design,” as this car is called, is made with heavy steel construction, and it works on 100% electricity from plugging
into a 110-volt standard outlet. This “utility wagon” sells for $19,145, which is the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including freight. Village Board members all took turns driving the car around the huge parking lot. “It was a quiet ride, and I love the efficiency of this car,” said Village Board member David Brown. “It has its place to run people around, and I think it would fit into our fleet quite well.” Village Board member Barbara Borsack said, “I love it — I think it’s a great car and I love the fact that it has no emissions, since we have enough fumes here during the summer months during highway gridlock.” Borsack added, “I’ve been banging the drum for our Village to go greener for a long time, and I’m glad to see we are looking into cleaner and cheaper options.” “With the price of gas today, everyone’s concerned about saving money, so I think this is an excellent start,” added Brown. “It’s also safe, and it’s good in inclement weather to drive our CEOs around.” Mayor Rickenbach took a ride in the car and said he would discuss the need for such a vehicle at future meetings with the Village. Birke explained that this is about the same price as an average car, but it has only 25% of the operating costs. Robert Jahoda, Traffic Control Supervisor of East Hampton, was walking by and came over to take a look at the electric car. After going for a test drive he said, “It drives really smooth and perhaps this vehicle could be used to help with traffic control in the Village.” Later, Cantwell said the board would discuss whether to add this new electric car to their fleet. “This car has limited use, even for Village purposes, but I think the technology is great and the cost savings is economical,” he said. Birke said he also plans in the coming weeks to bring out an electric pickup truck that also goes the same speed and costs the same price. It seats two, and is good for light duty maintenance, hauling and landscaping. His company is also coming out later in the year with an electric car for consumers that will go up to 80 mph, and will travel up to 120 miles on a single charge.
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seats and a seat in the back that flips up or folds down. It has a roof rack option, A/C option, and the back door opens up. This car was brought out by Motorworks Clean Vehicles, Inc. of Amityville, a company that sells them around Long Island. Gary Birke, who owns the company, and Hugh McIvor, Marketing Director, explained to the board members that this car is considered a “utility wagon,” because it only goes 25 mph, and is allowed only on street-legal NYS roads designated 35 mph or less. “This electric car is good for local driving around the village and to the beaches,”
Photo by Debbie Tuma
Cars
against the use of monies from the CPF, the board voted unanimously to put $500,000 towards the restoration of the historical home. The vote made East Hampton Village Historic Preservation Consultant Robert Hefner a very happy man. And many residents of East Hampton share that sentiment. The home will now be protected by a historical easement, which will allow restoration of the property. This easement makes it unlawful for the Thomas Moran House to become anything else but what it originally was in the 1800s. The ease-
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