40:56-58. Condemnation; ordinance and map; abandonment of improvement; payment of award into court
In cities of the first class when an improvement ordinance shall require the taking of real estate or any right or interest therein, the ordinance for that purpose, when introduced, shall state the location and character of the improvement proposed to be made, the real estate to be taken therefor sufficiently described so as to be readily identified, and the ordinance shall be accompanied by a map prepared under the direction of the governing body, showing in detail the location and dimensions of the real estate proposed to be taken.
After the passage of the ordinance the map, together with a copy of the ordinance duly attested by the clerk of the governing body, shall be filed with the officer or board charged with the assessment for benefits in such city of the first class. Such officer or board, or a majority of such board, shall make an award for the real estate or right or interest therein to be taken, to the owners thereof after hearings are held, upon notice, in the manner provided in sections 40:56-25 and 40:56-26 of this Title, in the case of assessments for benefits and awards for incidental damages where no real estate is to be taken and shall apply to the Superior Court for confirmation in the manner provided in section 40:56-62 of this Title in the case of assessments for benefits and incidental damages where no real estate is taken. However, if for any reason, such as that the aggregate awards of damages is so large as to render the making of the proposed improvement unwise in the judgment of the governing body, nothing in this article shall be construed to deprive it of power to abandon the proposed improvement and repeal the improvement ordinance at any time prior to confirmation of any award for lands to be taken thereunder.
When any award made under this section is confirmed by the court the amount thereof shall promptly after confirmation be tendered to the person or persons entitled thereto and before the commencement of the work. If it is uncertain as to who is entitled thereto or if the city is unable to tender the award by reason of the incapacity or absence of any person entitled thereto, or otherwise, or where any person or persons refuse to accept or receive such award it may, with leave of the Superior Court, be paid into said court and shall there be distributed to the person or persons entitled thereto according to law.
Amended by L.1953, c. 37, p. 705, s. 195, eff. March 19, 1953.