The latest twist in Meaford's long running legal battle with residents of Georgian Beach Road came Monday night as council put forward a bylaw that would close the northern portion of the road and effectively remove more than 40 property owners from the lawsuit who were recently added to the case by judges order.

First and second reading of the bylaw took place at the July 26 meeting with third reading being reserved until the document can be brought before Ontario Superior Court Justice Daly for a ruling before the municipality proceeds with final approval of the bylaw.

The case which began in 2007, has pitted the municipality against some of the property owners on Georgian Beach Road who had blocked access along the water side of their properties angering some residents who maintained that the area in question is a public road access. The municipality filed a lawsuit that has in large part hinged on a bylaw from 1854 that they say proves that the road exists and has never been officially closed off.