Waterbury, CT -- Residents who live near or drive by the old Valley Diner -- moved from South Main Street to Willimantic and now the subject of litigation -- want the debris left on the site cleaned up.

Jean Mann said the lot is an eyesore to anyone traveling by the property.

"I go by it every morning taking my daughter to school," Mann said. "It doesn't look right. We are trying to improve the city and not leave garbage behind. It gives people coming into Waterbury a bad impression of the city."

But Mann and everyone else will be looking at the trashed site for a few more weeks.

"There are pending legal issues with regard to that diner. I am aware of the debris and so forth left behind in the wake of the move," said Sheila O'Malley, chief of staff for Mayor Michael J. Jarjura, Thursday.

O'Malley said the city's attorney, Craig Sullivan, told her the debris cannot be touched because of the litigation. "At this point in time, we cannot do anything. But rest assured it will be cleaned up as soon as we can."

The property at 1047 South Main St. is owned by Atlantic Holdings LLC of Portland, Maine. Mike Haddad, a Willimantic businessman, bought the 55-seat diner in December for $30,000. On Feb. 17, the diner was moved to Willimantic, where Haddad plans to have it restored and re-opened.

Problems rose when the city discovered the diner had moved, leaving more than $60,000 owed in back taxes. The city took the Maine-based entity and Haddad to court to recover the debt.

Atlantic Holdings could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Haddad said Thursday it was never his intention to leave the property in disarray.

"I had all intentions to clean it up until the city brought the $60,000 lawsuit on it," Haddad said.

"I never left a mess in my life. I don't have a problem going back to clean it as long as we can settle it up somehow. But right now, I don't think they are being nice to me.

"It was my intention to go back the next day with a Dumpster to clean it up."

This week, the city, Haddad and Atlantic Holdings were in Waterbury Superior Court. They are scheduled to return to court on April 6.

O'Malley said Sullivan hopes to reach a settlement before returning to court. "In the meantime, the guy (Haddad) has threatened to bring the diner back."

The diner was on a foundation of cement-type blocks. The rear of the diner was attached to a wooden building. When the diner was pulled away from the building, it left the building open. Inside the building, there are a freezer and refrigerator with doors attached, piles of wood scattered on the property and other debris.

O'Malley was advised by Sullivan that removing any of the debris cannot be done now that Haddad has mentioned the idea of bringing it back.

If the debris were removed, so would the foundation it sat on, along with the building it was attached to.

"The stuff that held the diner is part of the debris," O'Malley said.

O'Malley said Sullivan told her he believes there will be a settlement on the money owed before the next court date.

"Then we can go in and clean it up."

The cleanup will be part of the settlement.

Haddad said he doesn't have a problem cleaning up the mess left behind.

"I'm still going to if we can reach a settlement."

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