Old Lyme ― A truce has been proposed on Tantummaheag Road, the site of a years-long battle between a local couple and town leaders over access to the historically public landing at Lord Cove.

The Board of Selectmen on Monday introduced a proposed memorandum of agreement with George Frampton and Carla D’Arista, owners of 12 and 19 Tantummaheag Road. The document outlines conditions that will remain in place for one year while the parties go through mediation to come to a permanent solution while hopefully avoiding litigation.

The owners describe the unpaved strip from Tantummaheag Road to the cove as their private, back driveway. Locals know it as Town Landing, where they have launched kayaks and watched the annual murmuration of the swallows.

Residents will get to weigh in on the proposed agreement at a date yet to be determined.

Frampton, an Ivy League-educated lawyer who served as assistant special prosecutor during the Watergate hearings before turning his focus to environmental policy, has likened the town’s efforts to assert ownership of the property to a jihad and the annexation of Ukraine by Russia.

He argues the official paper trail going back to the 18th century shows the town hasn’t had a rightful claim to the land since 1727.

The interim deal was brokered by Selectman Jim Lampos, who identified the issue as a top priority when he took office in November.

The agreement allows people to use the road on foot from 8 a.m. to sunset. Cars are not permitted, but can park just outside the entrance in the paved cul-de-sac. It calls for Frampton to put up a sign in the form of a stone pillar with the number 12 and the words Tantummaheag Landing on it.

“With this agreement, we restore public confidence and comfort in enjoying the landing for pedestrians who seek to view the river and cove, enjoy the natural landscape of Tantummaheag Brook, or view the annual swallow migration on Goose Island, just offshore,” Lampos said.

First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker emphasized no vote was being taken Monday. She said a special selectmen’s meeting with an opportunity for the public comment will be scheduled.

“We’re going to let the public sit on it for a couple weeks,” she said.

Show of good faith

The dispute dates back to Frampton and D’Arista’s purchase of the $1.15 million home in late 2020.

Nearby residents on Coult Road since then have complained the town isn’t doing enough to protect access to the land that has been freely enjoyed for hundreds of years. They described the mysterious disappearance of multiple signs installed by the town, as well as obstructions that have popped up to prevent vehicles from getting to the cove.

Neither party is revoking its claims to the property, according to the agreement. Instead, both parties characterized it as a show of good faith in light of the lawsuit threatened by Frampton.

The agreement calls for an “impartial, mutually-agreed upon mediator from the community” who will render a non-binding opinion on the ownership status of the landing. It also requires the selectmen to let Frampton make his case to them in executive session.

Frampton in a statement after the meeting credited Lampos with fostering a “less-divisive environment” for continuing negotiations.

“While neither party cedes any rights they claim for themselves in this agreement, we have established a framework by which we hope further discussions move toward a resolution of our dispute,” Frampton said.

e.regan@theday.com