Richardson v. Board of Selectmen of Blackstone

Lu, John T., J.

I. INTRODUCTION

Following a non-juiy trial, the plaintiffs, heirs of the former landowners (Heirs), established a collective one-half interest in a fifteen-acre parcel of land, which on December 9, 2003, the Town of Blackstone (Town) took by eminent domain. As compensation for the taking, the court awarded the Heirs half of the fair value of the property or $124,000. The Town now moves pursuant to G.L.c. 79, §44,3 to offset the amount of the award for unpaid real estate taxes on the properly.

Where the court is not aware of any authority directly on point, the court determines…