Eminent domain: a power officials would rather not wield
“A Freedom of Information request for actions taken since 2006 revealed that the Meriden City Council voted to use eminent domain to claim three properties. Wallingford, Southington and Cheshire didn’t use it once in that time.
Eminent domain actions are only undertaken after there’s been an attempt to negotiate with a property owner, said Meriden City Attorney Deborah Moore. Often an agreement will be reached before land is taken.
“It’s not taken lightly,” Moore said.
An easement for a sewer project was taken on Hanover Avenue in 2007. The Factory H site on Butler and Cooper streets, a portion of the defunct International Silver Co., was taken and demolished last year to allow for remediation. A building on South Colony Street also was taken by eminent domain last year for use in the city’s flood control plans.”
Buchanan, Jesse. My Record Journal 29 June 2013.