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Township of West Bradford, PA
Chester County
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Code
New Laws (8) Index
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Minutes (187)
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of West Bradford 9-11-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-07. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 9-13-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-03]
West Bradford Township hereby approves the following fee schedule for the collection of unpaid claims, which fees shall be added to the unpaid claim.
A. 
Legal fees.
(1) 
Initial review and sending first legal demand letter: $175.
(2) 
File lien and prepare satisfaction: $250.
(3) 
Prepare writ of scire facias: $250.
(4) 
Prepare and mail letter under Pa.R.C.P. § 237.1: $50.
(5) 
Prepare default judgment: $175.
(6) 
Research, prepare and obtain reissued writ: $175.
(7) 
Prepare praecipe to amend: $100.
(8) 
Prepare motion to amend: $150.
(9) 
Prepare motion for alternate service: $250.
(10) 
Prepare motion to consolidate claims: $250.
(11) 
Amend claim to add United States as defendant: $250.
(12) 
Prepare writ of execution: $800.
(13) 
Preparation for sheriffs sale; review schedule of distribution and resolve distribution issues: $400.
(14) 
Prepare motion to continue sheriff sale: $50.
(15) 
Prepare petition for free and clear sale: $400.
(16) 
Preparation and service of subpoena: $100.
(17) 
Presentation of motion or petition: $50.
(18) 
Services not covered above: at an hourly rate between $75 and $275 per hour.
B. 
Collection fees.
(1) 
Validation notice: $25 per notice.
(2) 
Notice of delinquent claim and fee shifting: $40 per notice, plus applicable postage.
(3) 
Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of three months or less: $25.
(4) 
Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of more than three months: $50.
(5) 
Handling fee for returned check: $25.
C. 
Payoff fee.
(1) 
Providing guaranteed payoff to third parties: $25.
[Amended 4-8-2014 by Ord. No. 2014-02]
A. 
In addition, the reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket charges, costs, expenses, commissions and fees incurred in the collection, such as but not limited to postage, title searches, prothonotary fees and sheriff fees, shall be added to the unpaid claims.
B. 
The Township and any attorney or private collector collecting delinquent municipal claims on behalf of the Township are hereby authorized to accept payment of delinquent municipal claims by credit card or debit card. Where payment is by credit card or debit card, any charges or fees charged by the credit card or debit card company and/or the credit card or debit card servicing agent shall become part of the delinquent municipal claim and be charged immediately to the credit card or debit card used to make payment. Such applies to credit card or debit card payments made by mail, telephone, the internet or in person.
Interest will be assessed upon all delinquent unpaid municipal claims at a rate of 10% per annum and added to the unpaid claim.
The following collection procedures are established in accordance with the Act:
A. 
At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorneys' fees in connection with the collection of an account, West Bradford Township or its designee shall mail or cause to be mailed, by certified mail, return receipt requested, a notice of such intention to the taxpayer or other entity liable for the account (the "property owner").
B. 
If the certified mail notice is undelivered, then, at least 10 days prior to the assessing or imposing such attorney's fees, West Bradford Township or its designee shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a second notice to the property owner.
C. 
All notices required by this chapter shall be mailed to the property owner's last known post office address as recorded in the records or other information of West Bradford Township or such other address as it may be able to obtain from the County Office of Assessment.
D. 
Each notice as described above shall include the following:
(1) 
The type of tax or other charge, the date it became due and the amount owed, including penalty and interest;
(2) 
A statement of West Bradford Township's intent to impose or assess attorney's fees within 30 days after the mailing of the first notice or within 10 days after the mailing of the second notice;
(3) 
The manner in which the assessment or imposition of attorney's fees may be avoided by payment of the account; and
(4) 
The place of payment for accounts and the name and telephone number of West Bradford Township's representative designated as responsible for collection matters.
The proper officials of West Bradford Township are hereby authorized and empowered to take such additional action as they may deem necessary or appropriate to implement this chapter.
[Amended 9-10-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-04]
West Bradford Township may appoint an attorney from time to time for the limited purpose of collecting delinquent municipal claims and hereby authorizes the appointed attorney, and attorneys under his or her supervision, to sign any and all documents, including municipal claims, on behalf of West Bradford Township.