The ongoing dispute between the town of Westport Island and Albert and Barbara Greenleaf had a new development in Dec. 2 in Lincoln County Superior Court when Justice Daniel Billings granted the town’s request for a temporary restraining order.

The order was sought by the town as an emergency measure because, the town claimed, the Greenleafs would not remove debris blocking a right of way on Baker Road. With colder temperatures and winter weather starting, there was a “substantial risk” that the objects placed in the road would become frozen in place, further impeding the town’s ability to keep the road “safe and convenient” for public travel, according to the court document.  

Repeated requests by the town to the Greenleafs since 2008 have failed to secure the permanent removal of debris from the area and the town sought an order from the court as a result.

According to a written statement released to the press on Monday evening by First Selectman George Richardson Jr., attorneys representing both parties met in chambers with Justice Billings for more than an hour, discussing the terms.

Terms require that the Greenleafs clear the debris that has been placed on Baker Road and prohibit them from placing obstructions in an area of the Baker Road that is roughly 16.5 feet from the center of the road along a border that is aligned with standing telephone poles. The Greenleafs have a deadline of Thursday, Dec. 10 to remove the existing material.

According to Richardson’s statement, Justice Billings informed the Greenleafs that, if the terms of the order were violated, they could be subject to fines, court costs, attorney fees and possible incarceration. Billings asked the Greenleafs if they understood the terms of the restraining order and they responded that they did.