A long-established Popham Beach family is claiming victory in a lawsuit brought by their New Jersey-transplant neighbors.
The Hills have owned Popham Beach Estates property along the Phippsburg shore for decades.
But three years ago Richard and Sheila Tappen sued their neighbors, claiming they now own the dunes and beach in front of the Hill family’s beachfront cottages.
The Tappens had bought out the previous owner’s interest in the so-called common land in front of the Hills.
The suit also claimed the Hill’s deck, steps, ramp, shed, boardwalk and beach path are now on Tappens’ property.
But the Hills argued that the Tappens’ land transaction wasn’t legally enforceable – that the couple actually bought a publicly accessible parcel.
The Maine Supreme Court this week put an end to the imbroglio, upholding a lower court ruling favoring the Hills.
