Any dwelling which now exists or which hereafter
may exist which is unfit for human habitation due to dilapidation,
defects increasing the hazards of fire, accidents or other calamities,
lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or due to other
conditions rendering such dwelling unsafe or unsanitary or dangerous
or detrimental to the health or safety or otherwise inimical to the
welfare of the residents of the Borough of Runnemede shall be repaired,
closed or demolished in accordance with the provisions herein provided.
The Director of Public Safety of the Borough
of Runnemede, New Jersey, be and he is hereby designated as the public
officer to exercise the power prescribed by this chapter.
The said public officer may determine that a
building is unfit for human habitation if he finds that conditions
exist in such dwelling which are dangerous or injurious to the health
or safety of the occupants of such dwelling or the occupants of neighboring
dwellings or other residents of the Borough of Runnemede; without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, such conditions may include
the following: defects therein increasing the hazards of fire, accident
or other calamities; lack of adequate ventilation, light or sanitary
facilities; dilapidations; disrepair; structural defects; uncleanliness.
Any complaint or complaints, order or orders
issued by the said public officer pursuant to the provisions of this
chapter shall be served upon persons either personally or by registered
mail, but if the whereabouts of such persons is unknown and the same
cannot be ascertained by the public officer in the exercise of reasonable
diligence, the public officer shall make an affidavit to that effect,
and then the serving of such complaint or order upon such persons
may be made by publishing the same once each week for two successive
weeks in a newspaper circulated in the Borough of Runnemede. A copy
of such complaint or order shall be posted in a conspicuous place
on premises affected by the complaint or order. A copy of such complaint
or order shall be duly recorded or lodged for record with the Clerk
of the Borough of Runnemede.
The said public officer is hereby authorized
to exercise such powers as may be necessary or convenient to carry
out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this chapter, including
the following powers in addition to the other powers herein granted:
A. To investigate the dwelling conditions in the Borough
of Runnemede in order to determine which dwellings therein are unfit
for human habitation;
B. To administer oaths, affirmations, examine witnesses
and receive evidence;
C. To enter upon premises for the purpose of making examinations;
provided that such entries shall be made in such manner as to cause
the least possible inconvenience to the persons in possession;
D. To appoint and fix the duties of such officers, agents and employees as he deems necessary to carry out the purpose of this chapter. The officer, agent and employee to whom the powers and functions of the public officer have been delegated are hereby authorized to exercise the powers contained in §
146-6A,
B and
C;
E. To delegate any of his functions and powers under
this chapter to such officers and agents as he may designate.
The Borough of Runnemede shall as soon as possible
after the adoption of this chapter prepare an estimate of the annual
expenses or costs to provide the equipment, personnel and supplies
necessary for periodic examinations and investigations of the dwellings
in the said Borough for the purpose of determining the fitness of
such dwellings for human habitation, and for the enforcement and administration
of the provisions of this chapter, and the Borough of Runnemede is
authorized to make such appropriations from its revenues as it may
deem necessary for this purpose, and may accept and apply grants or
donations to assist it in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to
abrogate or impair the powers of any department of the Borough of
Runnemede to enforce any provisions of its charter or its ordinances
or regulations, nor to prevent or punish violations thereof; and the
powers conferred by this chapter shall be in addition and supplemental
to the powers conferred by any other ordinance of the Borough of Runnemede.
The following terms whenever used or referred
to in this chapter shall have the following respective meanings for
the purposes of this chapter, unless a different meaning clearly appears
from the context:
DWELLING
Any building or structure or part thereof used and occupied
for human habitation or intended to be so used, and includes any outhouses
and appurtenances belonging thereto or usually enjoyed therewith.
GOVERNING BODY
The Mayor and Borough Council of the Borough of Runnemede
charged with governing the municipality.
OWNER
The holder of the title in fee simple.
PARTIES IN INTEREST
All individuals, associations and corporations who have interests
of record in possession thereof.
PUBLIC AUTHORITY
Any housing authority or any officer who is in charge of
any department or branch of the government of the Borough of Runnemede
or State of New Jersey relating to health, fire, building regulations
or to other activities concerning dwellings in the Borough of Runnemede.
PUBLIC OFFICER
The officer or officers who are authorized by this chapter
to exercise the powers prescribed by this chapter.