Town Wins Eminent Domain Case Over Manchester Country Club 12th Tee

A Superior Court Judge ruled that the town was in the right when it seized a 1.29 acre piece of property by eminent domain to serve as the 12th tee on the Manchester Country Club green, negating any extra compensation the property owners sought beside the "fair market value" of $52,000 the town already paid. 

Hartford Superior Court Judge Richard Rittenbrand ruled on Feb. 15 2013 that the town did not owe any extra compensation to the former property owners and defendants in a civil suit, Carlson Associates. Based on court documents, Carlson Associates' appraiser, Roy L. O'Neil Jr., valued the land taken by the town at $87,000, including damages. 

But, in his ruling, Rittenband said he found the town's appraiser, Thomas W. Henry, more credible in his assessment of the land's "fair market value," which was $52,000. 

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The judge's full ruling is attached to this article as a PDF.