City of Afton’s Motion for New Trial Denied by Washington County Judge
A Washington County judge denied the City of Afton’s motion for a new trial and partial judgment this last week. The motion comes after a jury found that the city must pay Afton House Inn more than $800,000 in damages and compensation for easements obtained by the city in order to build a new community sewer and improve its flood levee.
The matter found its way to the Washington County court when the owners of Afton House Inn appealed the city’s original offer for compensation, which was $105,100. After the original offer, a three-person condemnation committee determined that Afton House Inn should receive $517,000 in damages and compensation for the city’s easements. The city then appealed that determination in Washington County District Court.
In March, a jury found that the Afton House Inn should get even more, awarding Afton House Inn $805,700. Because the jury awarded amount is more than 40 percent over the City of Afton’s original offer, Afton must also pay Afton House Inn’s attorney fees, which are likely over $200,000. A hearing on costs and fees is scheduled for December 4, 2020; however, the City of Afton has already said they intend on appealing the district court judge’s ruling.