§ 24-3-3. Hearing on enlargement or relocation in towns — Commissioners of estimate and assessment.
Whenever the town council of any town named in § 24-3-17, shall adjudge it to be necessary to lay out, enlarge, straighten, improve, or alter any street or highway, or any part thereof, in the town, the council may cause the same to be done in the manner following: Whenever any lands shall be required for the purpose aforesaid, and the town council shall be of the opinion that any estates will be specially benefited thereby, the council shall, after notice to all persons interested, which notice shall specify the time and place of the meetings of the council and the nature and extent of the intended improvement, and after hearing all persons who desire to be heard in the matter, appoint not less than three (3) nor more than five (5) discreet and disinterested persons as commissioners of estimate and assessment, who may be residents and taxpayers in the town; and the council may at the same time determine that a portion of the damage occasioned by taking any real estate for the aforesaid purpose, not exceeding three-fourths (¾) thereof, shall be assessed upon the owners of estates which the commissioners shall find will be specially benefited by making the proposed improvement, whether any part of the estates are taken for the improvement or not; provided, that the owners shall not be assessed in any case beyond the amount that the commissioners shall consider their estates to be specially benefited thereby. The commissioners, before entering upon the duties of their office, shall be severally engaged to the faithful discharge of the trust and duties required of them.
History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 71, § 32; G.L. 1909, ch. 82, § 35; G.L. 1923, ch. 95, § 35; G.L. 1938, ch. 72, § 35; G.L. 1956, § 24-3-3; P.L. 1997, ch. 326, § 54.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 24-3 - Improvement and Grading by Towns
Section 24-3-1. - Power to mark out, widen or relocate municipal roads.
Section 24-3-4. - Assessment of benefits and damages in cities.
Section 24-3-5. - Commissioners’ estimate and report.
Section 24-3-6. - Filing and notice of report.
Section 24-3-7. - Publication and posting of notices.
Section 24-3-8. - Jury trial on report.
Section 24-3-9. - Election by council to make or discontinue improvements.
Section 24-3-10. - Taking of possession by town — Removal of crops and improvements.
Section 24-3-11. - Confirmation of reports.
Section 24-3-12. - Termination of leases and contracts on land taken.
Section 24-3-13. - Payment of damages awarded — Action against town.
Section 24-3-14. - Collection of assessments for benefits — Lien.
Section 24-3-15. - Compensation and expenses of commissioners.
Section 24-3-16. - Declaration of opening of highway.
Section 24-3-17. - Cities and towns affected.
Section 24-3-18. - Commissioners to define grade.
Section 24-3-19. - Notice of report on definition of grade.
Section 24-3-20. - Council action on commissioners’ report — Recording.
Section 24-3-21. - Effect of definition of grade.
Section 24-3-22. - Compensation and expenses of commissioners — Collection from petitioners.
Section 24-3-23. - Grading or change of grade — Notice and hearing.
Section 24-3-24. - Establishment and curbing of sidewalks.
Section 24-3-25. - Liability for cost of curbs.
Section 24-3-26. - Collection of curb costs.
Section 24-3-27. - Settlement or appraisal of damages from change of grade.
Section 24-3-28. - Appeal of appraisals and assessments.
Section 24-3-29. - Judgment on appeal.
Section 24-3-30. - Payment of damages — Action for recovery.