MONKTON — Landowners along a proposed natural gas pipeline extension in Monkton have turned to the media in a last-ditch effort to avert losing some of their property through eminent domain.
Vermont Gas Systems plans to begin construction of a 41-mile natural gas pipeline expansion through Addison County this summer. Some landowners along the route have not signed easement agreements with the company, and the natural gas utility may turn to the power of eminent domain in an effort to secure the route.
Maren Vasatka, 52, hosted a news conference in her Monkton home Wednesday along with three other landowners who could face having property taken through eminent domain unless they accept the company’s right-of-way offers.
The landowners, who say their homes are their most valuable asset, will not settle on a price for their land. Instead, they want assurance the project will not jeopardize their safety.
“My goal is not to go to court. You know, before, during or after,” Vasatka said. “My goal is to have a contract that works.”
About 900 feet of the pipeline would run about 300 feet from her house, and her land would also be used as a temporary construction staging site, she said. Before signing a contract, she wants to know who will be working on the pipeline and for how long, details that Vermont Gas has yet to provide, she said.
“We felt really threatened that we had to make a decision without knowing all the facts to protect our property,” she said.
Vasatka said her family does not have the money to appeal a decision to take her property through eminent domain, a process in which the Public Service Board orders Vermont Gas to pay “fair market value” for the land taken. That value would likely be far lower than Vermont Gas’ easement offers.
“We don’t have the funds to enter into extensive legal battles with the deep pockets of Vermont Gas,” Vasatka said. “Many of us have cooperated with Vermont Gas. We have allowed them to survey and take studies. We have tried to make the best of a bad situation. None of us asked for this, and none of us deserves to have to finance the fight.”
In January, the company’s right-of-way agents sent several landowners letters with easement offers. The same letters state the company’s offer would likely be higher than settlements reached through the process of eminent domain.
Steve Wark, a spokesman for Vermont Gas, said the company has been working with landowners for more than a year and half to adjust the pipeline route and has increased safety measures.
Nonetheless, Wark said if easement agreements cannot be settled, Vermont Gas will use eminent domain for the first time in the company’s history.
He said the company would rather pay landowners a fair price for their land than pay costly legal fees in eminent domain disputes.
