Court Opinion

ID: 9766406
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 04:46:11.202941+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:22.223914
License: Public Domain

KELLEY, Judge,
concurring and dissenting.
I concur with the majority in the reasoning and determination to the issue of timeliness.
I respectfully dissent from the majority in the determination of the merits.
The water line that was purchased by Center Township (Township) was prior to the purchase, a public utility, as testified by Thomas Quinlan.
At the very least, therefore, the properties there were benefited by the existence of a public utility water line prior to purchase by the Township. This benefit was continual and ongoing through the purchase by the Township until 1988, when the replacement of the water line took place.
I believe, at the very most, the “beneficial value” which inured to the appellants’ property by the replacement would be the difference of the benefit between the prior one-and-one-half-inch and the eight-inch replacement line, if any, as supported by competent evidence.
I believe that the appellants’ property having been benefited by the existence of the public utility water line is total and complete once as it was installed in the street in front of the property of the appellants, either predating the Township’s acquisition, or at the latest upon the Township’s purchase in 1983.
I would, therefore, remand for taking of testimony on the differential benefit between that rendered by the prior one- and-one-half-inch line as opposed to the eight-inch line, if any.