A federal court judge has sided with Rossville in a dispute with the owner of the town's largest piece of property over a sewer line.
The court order, issued Thursday in Rome, Ga., forces Peerless Woolen Mill owner Les Coffey to relinquish his claim to a 24-inch sewer line underneath his property.
"It was no surprise to me once all of the facts were out," Rossville Mayor Johnny Baker said.
The mayor said the sewer line is important because it is a main artery for sending the city's wastewater north for processing at Moccasin Bend Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Coffey, who has been at odds with the city since shortly after he bought the mill in 2007, said the decision was surprising but could work out for the best if the city repairs the lines.
"If they keep the sewers and they decide to repair them, then we're perfectly happy because it improves the property," he said.
But the line needs work and the city faces a "whole lot of expense and headache" to fix it, Coffey said.
"It wouldn't surprise me one bit if they don't try to give it back," he said.
Coffey had argued that the line belonged to him because it was marked as a private sewer on historical maps. The court's decision hinged on a 1958 deed from Burlington Industries Inc. to Rossville, granting an easement to the city "for the purpose of constructing and maintaining an interceptor sewer line."
"We knew all along that it was our main sewer line," Baker said.
Coffey said the decision doesn't affect his overall relationship with the city, which includes arrests, lawsuits and accusations of police harassment.
"That's what the court ruled, and that's what we have to deal with right now," he said. "I don't think it really changes things."
Baker is resigned to the same conclusion.
"It's just an ongoing thing. Page 37," the mayor joked.
Contact staff writer Andy Johns at ajohns@timesfreepress.com or call 423-757-6324.