Maine’s top court has upheld a lower court ruling giving landowner Peter M. Beckerman a right of way over a neighbor’s property in Rome.
In a decision issued last week, the justices declined to vacate a lower court decision that was challenged by Ricky and Monica Conant.
The case was argued before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court two months ago when it held a session in Augusta.
The Law Court, as the court also is known, weighed in on a previous appeal involving the parties in a decision issued in July 2015.
“It’s fairly clear the parties in the area are unable to resolve the disputes that come up without judicial assistance,” Chief Justice Leigh Saufley said during the oral argument session.
The opinion, written by Associate Justice Donald Alexander, upheld a finding that Beckerman has a right of way over the Conants’ paved driveway to reach South Crane Lane for access to Jamaica Point Road.
All the property owners have access to launch their boats at a ramp on Great Pond.
The Conants maintained that a “1978 deed does not create a right of way across the Conants Lot.”
Beckerman bought the lot, which borders Great Pond, in 1988.
Beckerman maintained his deed “is unambiguous and clearly grants him a right of way from Jamaica Point Road all the way to his property.”
Betty Adams — 621-5631
Twitter: @betadams
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