40A:31-5 Powers.

40A:31-5. One or more local units adopting an ordinance or resolution in accordance with N.J.S.40A:31-4 are authorized and empowered:

a. Alone or in combination with a private water company or the State, to acquire, construct, improve, extend, enlarge or reconstruct and finance water supply facilities, and to operate, manage and control all or part of these facilities and all properties relating thereto;

b. To issue bonds of the local unit or units to pay all or part of the cost of the water supply facilities;

c. To receive and accept from the federal or State government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, grants or loans for, or in aid of, the planning, purchase, construction, improvement, extension, enlargement or reconstruction, or financing of water supply facilities, and to receive and accept from any source, contributions or money, property, labor or other things of value to be held, used and applied only for the purposes for which the grants or loans and contributions are made;

d. To acquire in the name of the local unit or units by gift, purchase, or by the exercise of the right of eminent domain, such lands and rights and interests therein, including lands under water and riparian rights, and such personal property as may be deemed necessary for acquisition, construction, improvement, extension, enlargement or reconstruction, or for the efficient operation of any facilities acquired or constructed under the provisions of N.J.S.40A:31-1 et seq. and to hold and dispose of all real and personal property so acquired;

e. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of the local unit's or units' duties and the execution of powers authorized under N.J.S.40A:31-1 et seq., and to employ consulting and other engineers, superintendents, managers, attorneys, financial or other consultants or experts, and such other employees and agents as may be deemed necessary, and to fix their compensation;

f. Subject to the provisions and restrictions set forth in the ordinance or resolution authorizing or securing any bonds issued under the provisions of N.J.S.40A:31-1 et seq., to enter into contracts with the federal or State government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or with any other local unit, private corporation, copartnership, association or individual providing for, or relating to, water supply, which contracts may provide for the furnishing of water supply services either by or to the local unit or units, or the joint construction or operation of water supply facilities;

g. To fix and collect rates, fees, rents and other charges in accordance with N.J.S.40A:31-1 et seq.;

h. Upon the request of a customer: (1) to offer the customer the ability to receive or access, in electronic format, any periodic bill for service sent by the local unit or units to its customers and any additional information sent by the local unit or units to its customers as required by law, provided that any notice of disconnection, discontinuance or termination of water service shall be sent to a customer in written form at the customer's legal mailing address in addition to being sent or being made available in electronic format; and (2) to provide the customer the option of paying any such periodic bill via electronic means; and

i. To exercise any other powers necessary or incidental to the effectuation of the general purposes of N.J.S.40A:31-1 et seq.

L.1989, c.109, amended 2010, c.91, s.7.