Village Dedicates Tree To Cantwell

During an open house at the old Isaac Osborne house in East Hampton Village on Saturday, a tree was dedicated to former village administrator, Larry Cantwell.

"I think that collectively the present board of trustees including yours truly, wanted to do something that really manifested the number of years Larry gave to the village as our administrator, setting forth a wonderful degree of professionalism, tempered with common sense and dealing with the public," Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. said.

A Mt. Fuji Weeping Cherry Tree was dedicated in Cantwell's honor. He served as the village administrator for more than 30 years, before retiring earlier this year.

He is now running for town supervisor.

The late 18th century house, also known as the Baker-Lamb house, on the corner of Newtown and Osborne lanes, has been turned into village offices. Robert Hefner, the village's historic preservation consultant, is moving in there.

"What better location to put our historic preservation consultant?," Rickenbach said.

"The addition of the Osborne house into the crown of the village further manifests our mission for preservation," the mayor added.

The village purchased the old farmstead for $1.4 million in July 2007 in order to preserve it. Officials were concerned that the property, zoned commercial, would be developed.

A Greek revival cottage, work was done to lower the roofline and restore it to its original appearance. The first floor was structurally upgraded and reinforced and bathrooms were added.