West Mansfield Village Council agreed reluctantly Monday to a property owner’s counteroffer to settle an eminent domain claim without going to court.
Council will pay $250 for an easement to access just a few square feet of property on land owned by Christina and Ray Payne. That amount is roughly equivalent to $1.25 million per acre, according to data presented by the village’s solicitor, Steve Fansler. The land is within a setback required by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to build a new village well.
Councilman Ed Kise, who previously voted to deny Mr. Payne’s demand for $1,500 for the easement, made a motion to pay the $250 amount — an offer that was extended to the Paynes several months ago.
“We were prepared to pay this amount in September; so I guess we can pay it now,” he said. “Let’s get this done and get this moving.”
Read complete COUNCIL NEWS in Tuesday’s Examiner.
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