Small Town Water Co. Now Tussling with Resort Developer

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The small utility that provides drinking water for some residents of Daniel in Wasatch County is being sued by a developer who hopes to build a resort town nearby.

Boots Crisler heads the nonprofit Daniels Domestic Water Company and says he's now barred from accessing water tanks via a road that crosses land owned by developer Dean Sellers:

"I'm going to find a way up if I have to hike through a field," says Crisler. "I'm not going to let go. But he's made it very inconvenient for me to get up there."

Crisler says he had a gentlemen's agreement with Sellers to maintain the road in exchange for access. But Sellers' attorney Steven Clyde says there's no formal agreement:

"There has been a long history of trespass and dumping of refuse on the property," says Clyde. "There's a substantial pile of trash there and some indication there may be some hazardous materials. The lawsuit was filed for the simple purpose of stopping further trespass and further wasting this property."

Two weeks ago, the shareholders of Daniels Domestic Water Company unanimously voted to become a special department managed by the town. The move was an effort to avoid being part of the proposed town of Aspen, Utah, which Sellers is attempting to incorporate.

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