174. Proceedings if property owners do not consent. If the consent of property owners required by any provision of this article can not be obtained, the corporation failing to obtain such consents may apply to the appellate division of the supreme court held in the department in which it is proposed to construct its road for the appointment of three commissioners to determine whether such railroad ought to be constructed and operated. Notice of such application must, at least ten days prior thereto, be served, personally, upon each nonconsenting property owner by delivering the same to the person to whom such property is assessed upon such assessment-roll or by duly mailing the same, properly folded and directed, to such property owner at his post-office address with the postage prepaid thereon. If the person upon whom service is to be made is unknown, or his residence and post-office address are unknown and can not by reasonable diligence be ascertained, service of such notice may be made by publishing the same in such newspaper of the county as the court may direct, at least once a week for two successive weeks. Upon due proof of service of such notice the court to which the application is made shall appoint three disinterested persons, who shall act as commissioners, and who shall, within ten days after their appointment, cause public notice to be given of their first meeting in the manner directed by the court, and may adjourn from time to time, until all their business is completed. Vacancies may be filled by the court after such notice to parties interested as it may deem proper to be given; and the evidence taken before as well as after the happening of the vacancy shall be deemed to be properly before such commissioners. After a public hearing of all parties interested, the commissioners shall determine whether such railroad ought to be constructed and operated, and shall make a report thereon, together with the evidence taken, to the appellate division, within sixty days after appointment, unless the court, or a judge thereof, for good cause shown, shall extend such time; and their determination that such road ought to be constructed and operated, confirmed by such court, shall be taken in lieu of the consent of the property owners hereinbefore required. The commissioners shall each receive ten dollars for each day spent in the performance of their duties and their necessary expenses and disbursements, which shall be paid by the corporation applying for their appointment.
Last modified: February 3, 2019