A dispute between Niles and Weathersfield over the annexation of property came to a head Friday afternoon with one business owner ending up with his power turned off over the fight between the two.

At about noon, the lights went dark at ASAP Sanitation Services, located along State Route 422.

The new owner of the property, John Ackworth, said he was notified by the City of Niles about annexing out of Weathersfield Township and into the City, but thought the situation was at a standstill while township and city officials worked the issue out.

Then suddenly his power, which is supplied by the city, went out.

"It's sad nobody else has been annexed, nobody else was forced to do this and they're trying to make me the very first one I found out," said Ackworth.

"Showing leadership like they showed today is unnecessary for both communities - for the people that live in Niles and the people that live in Weathersfield," said Weathersfield Trustee Marvin McBride. "I mean what type of organization do you want running your life if they're going to come and cut someone's power off without notification."

The mayor of Niles, Steven Mientkiewicz, said notice was given that power would be turned off and he points to an ordinance in the city as the reason why.

Mientkiewicz explains the ordinance requires a property owner to place utilities with the city in the business owner's name. The ordinance also requires the property to either be annexed into the city or for the property owner to sign what's called a "development incentive agreement" which is basically a contract that provides utilities in exchange for money or some other deal.

At this point power at ASAP has been temporarily turned back on while talks continue.

"I bought this personally because I liked it was Weathersfield zoning and that's what it is and that's what I'm hoping it's going to stay," said Ackworth.