Dan's Papers - August 1, 2008 - Seven Acres of EH Town Land, Rented at $2,800 a Year

In a development that will be testing the boundaries of the Community Preservation Fund, Town of East Hampton Supervisor William McGintee and the town board have awarded Diane Russo, wife of recently retired Town Highway Superintendent Chris Russo, with a contract to lease seven acres of land, purchased from John Grossman for $218,000 in 2006, with CPF money. The lease amount is $2,800 a year to run a horse farm and food stand, and eventually grow crops on the land when the soil is suitable. The property is located on the corners of Cedar Street and Roberts Lane in East Hampton.

Reports about using CPF funds to build a barn and food stand are erroneous according to Supervisor McGintee's aide Lynn Ryan, who stated the position that this project is exactly what the CPF was meant to do. Supervisor McGintee reportedly said the goal is keeping farmlands, farmlands, and that the presence of horses in East Hampton is part of the signature that makes East Hampton, East Hampton. There is local opposition on major fronts, the first being that the barn to be constructed on property that was supposed to remain open lands. The other issue arose from a bid by horticulturist Ron Jawin to develop the seven acres to be more of an organic farm after the land was restored to suitability to support growing. The question of why one party with town connections might have been selected over Jawin is a question that will probably never be answered satisfactorily. Lastly, nearby residents are not thrilled to have a presence of horses, their manure and its odor upsetting their domestic tranquility juxtaposed to the site being just open lands. Due to McGintee's lack of popularity at the moment concerning the budget shortfalls, many questions are being asked just because he backs this plan. Supporters of the plan state that it is a total of four horses being proposed, and that a vegetable stand to help support a fine family that has done tremendous service to the community over the year is what small town America is about. No one questions the Russos' credibility, but is $2,800 a year a fair price to control seven acres of East Hampton CPF property for 10 years? Secondly, who is to own the maintained barn if built? What about the fencing to be built around the land? Should the town, the CPF or the renters pay for what might become a necessity for doing business?

McGintee's explanations are valid and understandable, but with his judgments being questioned on so many other fronts a credibility factor exists. McGintee's reelection is not being called a sure thing by many at the moment. What effect his problems have had on the credibility of this project, which was approved by the board (after being revisited a year later), remains to be seen. If the land does eventually become a farm with replenished soil and a horse farm as well, then perhaps the board's judgment was well founded. However, if this becomes a sweetheart contract, the impeccable reputation of the distinguished long career of Chris Russo may become tarnished, and that would be tragic in view of all the good things he did for the town. The board vote was unanimous. Only time will show their wisdom.