Bremen officials are continuing their attempts to get signatures on easements ahead of the downtown revitalization project.
Town Attorney Anthony Wagner and Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy told the Bremen Town Council members Monday that there is at least one property owner that has not signed easement paperwork for the project.
The concept is simply asking the property owner to sign over the easement, or sidewalk, and the town is going to pay to have it repaired.
Wagner said if the owners don’t agree to sign the easements the town may exercise eminent domain.
“That would involve us, at least initially, making an offer to purchase the easement,” said Wagner.
Wagner asked the town council to consider giving both he and Weldy permission to employ an appraiser, or any other professional needed on the behalf of purchasing the easement. He also asked for the council’s permission to give them the authority to make an offer on the town’s behalf to purchase the easement. Both requests were approved with a unanimous vote.
Ken Jones from Engineering Firm JPR said it may take time to find an appraiser that will appraise the value of an easement. As for the Uniformed Relocation Act, they will look at wording that would allow the town to use market analysis from a qualified professional. Wagner commented that the statute for eminent domain allows evidence given to the property owner used to establish the proposed purchase price which could include an appraisal or market analysis.
The sidewalk project is anticipated to begin in June.
