The county Water Authority is ready to take land for the county water project by eminent domain if necessary, but authority officials said Monday they’re optimistic about reaching voluntary agreements with most landowners. “Hopefully we will get a resolution everyone feels is fair and equitable,” Authority Chairman John E. Lawler, R-Waterford, said after an eminent domain hearing held Monday at Wilton Town Hall. About a dozen property owners spoke at the hearing, questioning either the amount of money the authority was offering for their land or the proposed location of the waterline on their property. Monday’s hearing was one of the legal requirements of the eminent domain process. Eminent domain allows government to seize private property if it is for the greater public good, with a state Supreme Court judge deciding what compensation should be paid. The county water project will draw water from the Hudson River in Moreau and transport it through a 28-mile pipe system as far as the Luther Forest Technology Campus.
I don't like the way Saratoga is handling this problem by taking someones land to transport water to be used by a private business.. If the businesses needs water then they should come up with some cash to be added to what Saratoga is willing to pay and increase the amount of money for the land if they want it that bad.
Well said shadow...well said! In this 'free' country of ours, I absolutely hate the words EMINENT DOMAIN. It shouldn't even be in our vocabulary. The words scare the hell out of me!
And even though I do agree in improving and expanding infrustructure, I am hoping that these people are getting their due amount for their land. And even though I agree that the businesses should be kicking in some for the purchase of the homeowners land, their argument would be that they are contributing to the tax base once the businesses are established.
I know that water has been an issue for this area for sometime and does need to be addressed, but I am truly hoping that the municipality is going to be fair, since once these waterlines are put into place, there will be a good chunk of money to be made there. And I hope it isn't on the backs of the residents.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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