Pankauski v. Greater Lawrence Sanitary District Commission

Pankauski (the owner) seeks to recover compensation for the 1973 eminent domain taking by the sanitary district (the District) of a part of his land in Methuen between the Merrimack River and a proposed road. As a pro tonto award, he was allowed $2,900 by the District. The case was tried first (see G. L. c. 79, § 22, as amended by St. 1973, c. 983, § 1, and the recent further amendment by St. 1981, c. 476) in June, 1980, before a Superior Court judge without a jury. The judge awarded the owner $63,100. The case was retried in September, 1980, before a District Court judge (sitting in the…