Few things on the Eminent Domain front
First, a jury sides with a landowner regarding just compensation:
After a one week trial, the jury found on March 10 that the MBTA underpaid Ricky Bernasconi, the owner of the former Landing Auto Sales property on 25 Quincy Ave., by approximately $325,000.
Attempts to obtain comment from the MBTA about the verdict were unsuccessful.
On Jan. 29, 2002, the MBTA took the land from Bernasconi, who operated a used car sales and repair business on the property.
At that time, the MBTA valued the land at $350,000.
Bernasconi filed suit on Sept. 29, 2002 through his attorney, George McLaughlin III of the McLaughlin Brothers law firm of Boston, claiming that the MBTA undervalued his land.
The jury concluded that the land was worth $673,000, resulting in damages of approximately $700,000 after interest, almost double the value initially determined by the MBTA.
Excellent. Also, citizens fight city hall in opposition to eminent domain and win.
And a politico was pitching eminent domain at a meeting and almost everyone disagreed with him.
A good day for property rights, I’d say.
