40A:31-14. Local improvement assessments; procedures for and manner of assessment and collection

Upon completion of the improvements made pursuant to N.J.S.40A:31-13, the governing body or governing bodies shall assess the costs and expenses of the water supply facilities on the lands specially benefited therefrom in proportion to the benefits received; however, no county may levy local improvement assessments within a municipality without the approval of that municipality.

When completed, the assessments shall be filed as a report with the clerk or clerks of the governing body or bodies who shall give notice, by advertising in one or more newspapers of general circulation in the local unit or units, and by notifying each concerned property owner by certified mail, of the fact that the report has been filed and that the governing body or bodies will meet at a time and place designated in the notice to hear remonstrances against the report. The governing body or bodies shall meet at the time and place designated in the notice to hear remonstrances and may revise the report as may be deemed appropriate after which the report shall be filed with the clerk or clerks of the governing body or bodies, and the assessments shall constitute liens upon the lands so assessed for special benefits.

The clerk or clerks shall deliver a duplicate copy of the report to the appropriate officer or officers of the local unit or units who shall immediately thereafter send out by mail or deliver to owners of lands bills for the assessments. The officer or officers shall mail or deliver bills for an assessment in the manner required in connection with local improvements and shall keep a record and books of assessments in the same manner required for local improvements under R.S.40:56-31, at the expense of the local unit or units. The governing body or bodies may make additional requirements for recording, accounting for and collecting assessments.

The governing body of a participating local unit may, by resolution, provide that the owner of any real estate located within the local unit upon which a local improvement assessment has been made may pay the assessment in installments pursuant to the procedures contained in R.S.40:56-35.

When an unpaid assessment, interest thereon or other charges for collection thereof remain in arrears on July 4 of the calendar year following the calendar year when the amount becomes in arrears, the appropriate officer of the local unit shall enforce the lien by selling the property in the manner set forth in chapter 5 of Title 54 of the Revised Statutes.

Source: New.

L.1989,c.109,s.1.