Erin Mayor Lou Maieron has launched a $75,000 lawsuit against the Town of Erin, the Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) authority and six other parties.
The statement of claim, filed with the Superior Court on Sept. 23, indicates Maieron is seeking damages related to a 17-acre property given to him in 2006, four years before he became mayor.
The woodlot was granted to Maieron as part of an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) decision regarding the Erinbrook Estates subdivision near his Erin home.
For several years taxes went unpaid on the property.
Last September the town told Maieron he would have to pay $38,568 in back taxes – or the town would proceed with a public sale of the property.
Maieron and his lawyer Kevin Sherkin argued at the time that the deed was never officially registered because the terms of an easement on the property were not followed by the developer or the municipality. They said the developer or the town should absorb the unpaid tax bill.
But the town rejected that idea, as well as a request for an extension, and Maieron eventually paid the tax arrears.
Maieron and Sherkin said at the time they would pursue “other legal options” if Maieron was forced to pay the bill, but there seemed to be little action on the matter until last month.
In his statement of claim, Maieron said he is seeking:
– $75,000 in damages;
– an order transferring the easement on the property to Maieron for the sum of $2;
– the costs of the legal action; and
– any associated interest and further “relief” the court deems just.
Neither Maieron nor town officials could be reached for comment on Oct. 18, but it appears the conservation authority will fight the lawsuit.
“[The CVC] believes the action to be without merit,” said CVC chief administrative officer Doborah Martin-Downs.
“The case has been referred to [authority] insurers who will be dealing with it through the litigation process.”
Other parties named in the statement of claim are: Ugo Guila, Nadese General Contracting Inc., Security Recycling (Ontario) Ltd., Tical Painting and Decorating Ltd., Vicmarelle Holdings Ltd., and Birdseye Farm Ltd.
– With files from Mike Robinson
