Any lands lying within the Borough of Raritan containing brush, weeds, dead and dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growth, filth, garbage, trash and debris which is or may become a hazard to life, health or general welfare or might tend to extend a conflagration in the Borough of Raritan shall, as prescribed below, be cleared of such matter by the owner, tenant or agent of said premises immediately.
[Amended 6-27-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-13]
If, after inspection by an authorized inspecting officer of the Borough, it is determined that any such condition of lands is a hazard to life, health, or general welfare or may tend to extend a conflagration, the owner, tenant or agent thereof shall, within five days after being notified by the Borough, remove such brush, weeds, dead and dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious and dying growth, filth, garbage, trash and debris, or contest said notice by written appeal to the Administrator of the Borough of Raritan.
The Fire Chief, Chief of Police or any member of the Police Department, Public Works Superintendent, Public Works Supervisor, Construction Official, Building Inspector, Housing Inspector, Property Maintenance Inspector, Health Officer or any authorized representative shall be considered the proper officers to investigate the above-described hazards.
In the event that any owner, tenant or agent shall refuse to comply with a notice from the Borough within five days from the date of said notice, and such brush, roots, weeds, dead and dying trees, stumps, obnoxious growth, filth, garbage, trash and debris are removed from said lands under the direction and at the expense and cost of the Borough of Raritan, the proper officer shall certify the cost thereof to the governing body, which cost shall be at least in the sum of $100 per hour and which cost shall be incorporated in a certification and, if found correct, shall be charged against said land; the amount so charged shall forthwith become a lien upon such lands and shall be added to and become and form part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon such lands, the same to bear interest at the same rate as taxes and shall be collected and enforced by the same officers and in the same manner as taxes.
Any owner or owners, occupant or occupants, tenant or tenants who shall neglect to cut and remove or otherwise destroy such brush, weeds, dead or dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growth, filth, garbage, trash and debris as directed by this article shall, upon conviction before the Municipal Court Judge, be subject for each offense to a fine of no less than $100 and up to a maximum of $1,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days, or to both such fine and imprisonment. Such penalties shall be in addition to any charges imposed under § 109-9, entitled "Cost to Borough of clearing land added to taxes."