At any time during the pendency of the action, the condemnor and the condemnees may agree upon all or any part or any item of compensation to be paid, and then proceed to have those parts or items not agreed upon, fixed and determined as herein provided. The condemnor may make payment of any part or item thereof agreed upon, and condemnees may accept such payment, without prejudice, and proceed to fix and determine the parts and items remaining in dispute.

L.1971, c. 361, s. 14.