WESTBROOK, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The Maine Supreme Court has issued its decision in a land dispute case involving the city of Westbrook, Pike Industries, and Idexx Laboratories.
Back in the fall of 2010, neighbors of Pike Industries filed a lawsuit stating the city of Westbrook violated zoning ordinances by approving a deal that allows Pike to operate its quarry on Spring Street.
A deal was reached among Idexx Industries, Pike, and the city to allow a reduced number of blasting operations to continue. A Maine business judge then approved that agreement, but it was appealed to the Maine Supreme Court.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued its ruling stating that the city of Westbrook has the authority to settle the dispute by issuing an amendment to its ordinances or by coming up with a contract zoning agreement.
An attorney for Artel, one of Pike's neighbors that appealed the decision, says it was pleased with Thursday's ruling.
"It goes back to the trial court, and at that point the city will have a choice. It will have a choice to proceed with a trial on the little that's left of Pike's case, or to try and make an inclusive settlement agreement that goes through the ordinary zoning procedures for the city of Westbrook," Attorney David Bertoni said.
An attorney representing Pike says the company is also happy with the court's ruling, and is hopeful that all parties involved can work out an agreement to allow Pike to continue its blasting operations.
NEWS CENTER