UPDATED: After Library Decision, Mayor Says 'Time To Move On'

East Hampton Village won't be appealing the State Supreme Court decision in favor of the library expansion.

On behalf of the village board, Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. issued a statement on Friday afternoon following an executive session during which the litigation was discussed.

"The zoning board of appeals application of the East Hampton Library has been arduous and contentious," he began referring to the eight-year process.

Rickenbach said there had been a number of missteps on both sides throughout the process. However, he said, "The decision of Supreme Court Judge Whelan ends the litigation as far as an appeal is concerned. While we might take issue and argue with the specific conclusions in this case, we choose not to."

The village could appeal the decision, handed down on Tuesday. The decision included granting the permit and two variances required to build a 6,800-square-foot addition to the library.

The village could also impose further "reasonable" requirements on the library by scheduling a hearing within 60 days.

The mayor said looking to the future was in the best interest of the community. "We believe it is time to move on, put an end to costly legal fees, and begin the process of healing the community on this issue."

Larry Cantwell, the village administrator, said the cost of litigation to date has been $63,000.

In response to the news, Dennis Fabiszak, the library director, said, "We are very happy that the Village Trustees have acknowledged the justification of the East Hampton Library Children's Wing project as outlined in the court decision and have decided that the Village will not appeal the decision."

He added that he and the board are looking forward to "creating a library that the entire community will cherish and benefit from for years to come."

Library officials now have to bring their site plan before the village's design review board for approval before they can begin construction on the approximately $8 million project.