Earlier this year, MassDOT had refused to disclose payment amounts for the first five homes taken by eminent domain and indicated they may not have to release the costs for years.
MassDOT argued the payments were exempt from disclosure under the state’s public records law. The agency also said publicizing the payouts could hinder negotiations with other property owners and complicate efforts to respect residents’ privacy.
The Globe appealed MassDOT’s decision to the state Supervisor of Records, which said it was “uncertain” whether the agency’s reason for withholding the information complied with public records law. On Thursday, the agency disclosed payments of more than $2.8 million to three property owners on Cecilia Terrace and one on Johns Lane. In an email, a MassDOT lawyer said the agency was disclosing costs because property owners had been paid. Separately, MassDOT paid $1.2 million in January to a fourth homeowner on Cecilia Terrace and $745,000 in February to a property owner on Eleanor Avenue, according to Registry of Deeds and state comptroller records.
A MassDOT spokesperson confirmed those payments to the Globe on Friday. The state paid more than the assessed value for the six homes, which have a combined assessed value of more than $3.5 million, according to Bourne’s online property database.
The Globe did not locate payment records for the five other properties taken by eminent domain. There are three on Johns Lane and one each on Canal Street and Eleanor Avenue.
The eminent domain law is rooted in the Massachusetts Constitution and requires the state to offer owners “reasonable compensation” for their property. In addition to the buyouts, payments could also include relocation and closing costs, and mortgage expenses. In all, officials said they intend to take 13 homes, plus seven vacant properties.
