The purposes of this subchapter are to establish an independent, impartial board composed of persons well learned in the elements that may be properly considered in the determination of fair market value of property taken in condemnation proceedings; to empower such board to make awards of just compensation in highway condemnations and to establish before such board a procedure designed to afford to any interested party an opportunity to appear, present his case and have his rights fully protected without the necessity for retaining professional assistance; to thus provide to any interested party a prompt, efficient and inexpensive method of determination of just compensation and prompt payment of all or part of such compensation without prejudice to any right of appeal allowed.   [PL 1975, c. 771, §235 (AMD).]