CAPE ELIZABETH – An 1,800-pound Fresnel lighthouse lens on display in the Cape Elizabeth town office since 1995 will be removed in August at a cost of nearly $9,000 to the town.

Made in Paris, France, in 1874, the lens, described as “second order” based on its size and focal length, once graced the east tower at Two Lights and for a time was said to be the brightest object on the east coast of the United States.

Due to an upcoming reconfiguration of town hall, prompted by Town Manager Michael McGovern’s move up to the second floor last year, the lens had to be moved from the lobby. After learning how much it would cost to have a qualified lampist relocate the lens to council chambers, and to display it to current standards dictated by its owner, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Town Council voted April 11 to give up the historic artifact.

Although the town’s loan agreement with the Coast Guard expired in 2005, the town, not the feds, must pay to transport the light to the Coast Guard station in Boston, or possibly Bar Harbor.

On May 29, Jim Dunlap of Lighthouse and Lens Restoration Corporation of Staten Island, N.Y. gave the town an estimate of $8,431 to crate the lens. According to Cape Facilities Director, Greg Marles, the town will provide the wood needed to pack the lens to Dunlap’s specifications, and transport it to the nation’s capital.

McGovern said July 11 that no estimate for the wood or transportation is available at this time. Because of another delicate lens job in California, Dunlap said he will not be available for the Cape job until after July 30.

– Duke Harrington

An 1,800-pound Fresnel lighthouse lens on display in the Cape Elizabeth town office since 1995 will be removed in August.

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