Walbridge v. Cabot & Walden

ROSS, C. J. The commissioners do not report that they gave Lyndon McAllister any notice and opportunity to be heard, upon whether the public good or convenience and necessity of individuals required the taking of his land for the establishment of the proposed highway. His affidavit is that he had no such notice. Such notice is necessary to give the commissioners, and this court whose officers they are, jurisdiction to take and appropriate his land to such use. LaFarrier v. Hardy et al., 66 Vt. 200; Lynch v. Rutland, 66 Vt. 570. The report must be recommitted to have them give him the requisite notice and an opportunity to be heard upon whether the public good or convenience and necessity of individuals require the establishment of the proposed highway, and the taking of his land for such purpose; and, if after such hearing, the commissioners recommend the establishment of the highway, to give him notice and an opportunity to be heard in regard to the damages sustained by him. If they still recommend the establishment of the highway, the commissioners will also state the bearings of the courses of the survey of the road of 1871, which they adopt, and also the damages in money which they award to the several land owners, if the towns should not build the fences and cattle passes ordered. The location of the cattle passes ought to be fixed with more certainty. While some expressions used by the commissioners would indicate that they have overstepped their legitimate powers, especially in determining whether the proposed highway should be laid out and established, and when it should be laid open for work and for travel; yet their report need not be recommitted for these defects, inasmuch as this court can treat [116] these statements as recommendations merely, and has the power to reject them entirely, and make such orders in those respects as it deems just and right under the statute. Re.m>ori recommitted,, with an order.