Section 3. An owner of land abutting on a public improvement and liable to assessment therefor under this chapter may give notice in writing to the board, within three months after the award of damages is made, that he elects to surrender his land; and if said board adjudge that the public convenience and necessity require the taking of such abutting estate for the improvement named, they may take the whole thereof, and shall thereupon estimate its value, excluding the benefit or advantage accruing from such improvement; and such owner shall convey the estate to the body politic or corporate on behalf of which the assessment was made and may recover therefrom in contract the value so estimated. The commonwealth, county, city, town or district may sell any portion of said land which is not needed for such improvement.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Title XIII - Eminent Domain and Betterments
Section 1 - Assessment of Cost of Public Improvements
Section 2 - Assessment Order; Plan and Estimate; Recordation
Section 3 - Surrender of Land Assessed
Section 5 - Petition for Abatement; Filing, Etc.
Section 6 - Filing Petition; Time Limitation; Extension
Section 7 - Appeal to Superior Court
Section 8 - Death of Person Entitled to Petition for Abatement
Section 10 - Appeal to County Commissioners
Section 10a - Petition for Abatement; Procedure on Failure of Board to Act
Section 11 - Contribution by Lessee; Rights and Remedies of Lessee
Section 12 - Lien Status of Assessment; Duration of Lien
Section 13 - Apportionment and Reapportionment
Section 13a - Land Devoid of Structures; Extension of Time for Payment of Assessments
Section 13b - Deferral and Recovery Agreements; Application; Recordation; Lien