For the purpose of procuring accurate information
with reference to the ownership of real estate in the Borough of Lititz,
there is hereby established a real estate registry in accordance with
the provisions of 53 P.S. § 48001.
The Borough Secretary shall cause to be made
books, maps or plans showing the location and the name of the owner
or owners of all real estate in the Borough of Lititz, with blank
spaces for the name of the owner of each lot and with provisions for
the names of future owners and the dates of future transfers of title.
The registry books, maps and plans shall be carefully preserved and
shall be so kept, by additions from time to time, as to show the ownership
of every lot or piece of real estate or subdivision thereof within
the Borough of Lititz, with succeeding transfer of title from the
time of the commencement of such registry.
The Borough Secretary may cause a search to
be made for any evidence of title not reported to him as herein required
and which may be requisite for the completion of such registry books,
maps and plans.
Within 30 days after the date on which this
chapter is advertised, it shall be the duty of all owners of real
estate within the Borough of Lititz and of every subsequent purchaser,
devisee or person acquiring title to real estate in any manner to
furnish to the Registry Clerk hereinafter designated descriptions
of their respective properties upon blanks to be furnished by the
borough and at the same time to have their deeds stamped as evidence
of the registration thereof.
The Sheriff of Lancaster County shall present
for registration the deeds of all properties within the Borough of
Lititz sold by him at a Sheriff sale, and the Recorder of Deeds of
Lancaster County shall not admit for record any deed for any property
within the Borough of Lititz bearing a date subsequent to the advertisement
of this chapter unless the same shall first have been duly stamped
as herein provided.
The Borough Secretary is designated to act as
Registry Clerk, and he is authorized to appoint the Deputy Recorder
of Deeds as Deputy Registry Clerk and to compensate the Deputy Registry
Clerk at the rate of $10 per month. The Borough Secretary is authorized
to procure the materials for making the necessary books, maps and
plans and to provide the forms for registering the transfers of title
to real estate and the necessary stamps to stamp transfers of title
to real estate "registered."
Any person or persons neglecting or refusing
to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall be liable to pay
a fine not to exceed the maximum fine of $300, plus costs of prosecution,
and in default of payment of such costs and prosecution, imprisonment
for a term not exceeding 30 days; provided, however, that if the District
Justice determines that the defendant is without the financial means
to pay the fines and costs immediately or in a single remittance,
such defendant shall be permitted to pay the fines or costs in installments
and over such periods of time as the District Justice deems to be
just.