The village has requested a preliminary injunction in Chittenden Superior Court against the village school district in an effort to try to resolve the ownership dispute over the Parks and Recreation Department.
Village Trustee George Tyler took exception to the latest legal move during a trustees meeting Tuesday, saying the tactic had not been brought to the board.
Village Manager Dave Crawford said the injunction was a move determined by the village’s legal team in response to the trustees’ stated wishes to try to resolve the issue quickly.
Last month, the village requested a declaratory judgement from a Chittenden Superior Court judge to determine who owns the department. Crawford said the injunction is designed to help move the case in front of the judge more quickly.
Under the current recreation operating agreement, the notice to either continue or terminate it must be given by April 1. After July 1, the school district would have no right to use the village parks and would be trespassing, according to the injunction request. The village would be free to operate the department or contract with another party, including Essex or another community.