When a petition for improvement is presented, or when the municipal governing body shall have determined to pave or otherwise improve any street, avenue, lane, alley or other public place, and shall have passed the required resolution, the governing body shall then have the power to:
1. Enact all ordinances, and to establish all rules and regulations as may be necessary to require the owners of all property subject to assessment to pay the cost of such improvement; or
2. Cause to be put in and constructed all utility lines and connections in and underneath the streets, avenues, lanes and alleys, and other public places where the improvements are made.
All cost and expense for making utility connections which are not paid for by the property owner may be contracted for by the municipality and shall be taxed as a direct charge against the property, and shall be included in and made a part of the assessment to cover the cost of the improvement.
Laws 1977, c. 256, § 36-109, eff. July 1, 1978.