Opinion ID: 2314669
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Hearing, View, Findings and Rulings.

Text: The Master ( Thomas E. O'Neill, Esq.), after two days of hearings and a view of the premises, made findings and rulings. He filed a report with recommendations which were approved by Flynn, J., who issued decrees in accordance therewith. The master found and ruled as follows regarding the east branch of the new road: A. Use of `new road' for north camp [T]hat neither Thomas B. Place nor the present record owners of the North camp [Thomas' four children] have a right of way for ingress to and egress from the north camp lot over the portion of the `new road' [the east branch] extending from Poor Farm Road to the Zivic land because the use by the predecessor in title, Mahlon R. Mason, did not establish an easement by prescription over said road. The master recommended that the present owners of the north camp be restrained from using the new road for access to their property. The master also found the following: B. Use of `new road' for access to Place shore lots and south camp lot [T]hat the evidence is insufficient to establish an easement by prescription for the use of the east branch of the `new road' for access from the Poor Farm Road to said shore lots [that is, lots owned by Thomas Place situated between the `south camp' lot and the `north camp' lot] and the south camp lot. The master, however, found the following with respect to the west branch of the new road: C. Use of `new road' and west branch for access to south camp [T]hat the use of Thomas B. Place of the west branch for access to the south camp was, considering the nature of the property, continuous and uninterrupted for a period in excess of 20 years and was sufficiently adverse and open to acquire a right of way by prescription on the `new road' and its west branch for ingress to and egress from the south camp and Poor Farm Road. The master recommended that Thomas B. Place be decreed to have such an easement which extended over the land owned by Woodbury Forest, Inc., Louis J. Zivic, Carolyn F. Woodbury, and Ethel F. Woodbury. Finally, the master found as follows: D. Use of roads for purposes other than access Thomas B. Place testified as to the use of a well [shown on the attached sketch] on his land on the `old road' .... To reach this well by vehicle from the south camp it is necessary to use the west branch to it[s] junction with the east branch and proceed north on the east branch to its junction with the `old road' on Place land. The master finds that Mr. Place has established an easement by prescription to use the west branch and the east branch to his land to pass by vehicle to and from said well and the south camp in the manner and for the purposes heretofore used. The master recommended that Thomas B. Place be restrained from using either the new road or its branches for purposes not listed in the court's decree.