Opinion ID: 4565159
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Parking Trespass Counterclaim

Text: ¶ 42. In response to VTRE’s complaint for declaratory judgment, MontChilly made several counterclaims, including a claim that VTRE committed trespass by parking its vehicles on the gravel turnaround area beside the driveway easement. 17 ¶ 43. In its Findings, Conclusion, and Order, the trial court found that the driveway easement does not give VTRE the right to park its vehicles on the turnaround, and found that Lizotte and occupants of the VTRE property sometimes parked their cars in the turnaround area. It did not otherwise directly address MontChilly’s counterclaim for parking trespass. It did rule that MontChilly had failed to prove necessary elements of its counterclaims for trespass and nuisance relating to stormwater runoff and trash disposal.5 In its judgment order, the court stated, “MontChilly’s counterclaims for trespass and nuisance were not proven and are hereby dismissed.” The court did not distinguish among MontChilly’s various trespass claims in its judgment order. ¶ 44. On appeal, MontChilly argues that the trial court erred in failing to rule on this claim. We agree. “Where a trial court has failed to resolve a claim made to it, the proper remedy is for us to remand.” Lewis v. Cohen, 157 Vt. 564, 572, 603 A.2d 352, 356 (1991). Although the court made relevant findings concerning the parking trespass claim, it did not resolve that claim in its Findings, Conclusion, and Order, and we infer that the general dismissal of MontChilly’s trespass claims in the judgment order was directed only at those claims resolved by its prior order. We accordingly remand for resolution of MontChilly’s parking trespass claim. We reverse the order requiring MontChilly to remove its fence, affirm the trial court’s judgment that VTRE is bound by the easement for a four-inch drainpipe, and remand for resolution of MontChilly’s parking trespass counterclaim and motion for specific performance regarding the drainpipe. FOR THE COURT: