A week later, the town attempted to fight that determination, submitting a motion for leave to file an amended complaint. 

According to the order denying that motion, the town was required to prove it owned and had the right of possession to the boathouses to assert its claims for breach of contract and eviction. Based on the recorded evidence, the court said it could find “no legal theory under which” the town’s claims could prevail. 

“This case has been an expensive battle that has gone on long enough,” Jordan’s order reads. “Defendants are entitled to closure.”

The town spent $637,000 in its pursuit of the boathouses although town officials have never fully articulated why they wanted them.

In terms of relief for the boathouse owners, the court is reserving its jurisdiction to consider “any timely motions for attorneys’ fees and costs, matters pertaining to the enforcement of this judgement and further relief” for the defendants, according to the final judgement order. 

“Plaintiff, Town of Windermere, shall take nothing from this action,” the order states. 

In the run-up to last year's election, during the candidates forum, council member Anthony Davit said, "honestly I don't care what happens as far as determination of ownership, whether it's the residents of the boathouses or the town"; he just didn't want his own kids wrestling with the same issue 20 years down the line. Asked today for his reaction to the final judgment, Davit told VoxPopuli, "That's still my position."

This is a developing story.