ARTICLE XVII PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Section 1701. Township Buildings.-(a) The board
of supervisors may procure by purchase, gift, devise or the exercise of eminent
domain a lot or lots of ground located within the township and erect or use
buildings thereon for township purposes. No land or property used for any cemetery,
burying ground, public or parochial school, educational or charitable institution,
seminary or place of public worship shall be taken or appropriated under this
section.
(b) Subject to the restrictions contained in section 3402, townships in counties
of the second class A may enter upon and appropriate historic land and structures
which are privately owned, provided the sole purpose of the taking is the preservation
and maintenance of the property for its historic value and the Pennsylvania
Historical and Museum Commission or the county historical society has certified
both the historic value of the property and that it is not being maintained
in an appropriate manner.
Section 1702. Use of Public Land Acquired for Other Purposes.-When the board of supervisors desires to take any public lands previously granted or dedicated to a use or purpose for which they are no longer used, it shall pass an ordinance declaring its intention and shall petition the court of common pleas for leave to file the bond of the township to secure any person or persons who may be entitled to compensation for the taking. The court shall direct notice to be given by publication in at least one newspaper circulating generally in the township. The court may increase the amount of the bond, shall hear all exceptions that are filed against the petition and the sufficiency of the bond and may grant or deny the request of the petition. Upon the granting of the petition and the approval of the bond, the board of supervisors may enter lands for the purposes of erecting public buildings. The bond, which shall be in the name of the Commonwealth for the use of any person or persons who are entitled to damages by reason of the taking of the lands, shall remain on file for their use and benefit.
Section 1703. How Damages Are Assessed.-The compensation and damages arising from taking, using and appropriating private or public property for township purposes shall be ascertained, determined, awarded and paid under this act for eminent domain proceedings.
Section 1704. Garages and Warehouses.-The board of supervisors may purchase or lease land inside or outside the limits of the township and erect garages, warehouses or other buildings as may be necessary for handling and storing equipment, materials and supplies.