[HISTORY: Derived from Sec. 10-2 of the 1999 Code of the Township
of Clinton. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Township Council finds that the existence of unsafe buildings in
the Township constitutes a potential threat to the safety, health and welfare
of the residents of the Township. The public at large stands the risk of serious
injury due to the existence of unsafe buildings within the Township. It is
the intent of this chapter to assure that all unsafe buildings within the
Township are either repaired in a manner to make the buildings safe or are
destroyed.
The assessment of costs aforementioned shall be made on notice by the
Assessment Commissioners in the same manner as improvement assessments are
made.
Before any proceeding pursuant to the provisions hereof, the Township
Council shall cause notice of the contemplated removal or destruction of the
building, wall or structure to be given to the owner of the land affected
thereby, in the manner and form prescribed in N.J.S.A. 40:48-1(15).
Unless the building, wall or structure is removed or destroyed within
30 days after the service of the aforementioned notice, the Township shall
have the power to proceed with the removal or destruction or cause it to be
proceeded with.
The aforesaid notice shall provide for a hearing before the Township
Council and fix the time and date thereof so that an opportunity to be heard
may be afforded to the owner of the land affected thereby. The Council, after
the hearing of testimony, shall make a finding as to whether or not such building,
wall or structure is or may become dangerous to life or health or might tend
to extend a conflagration, and the Council shall declare by a resolution,
based upon such findings of fact, whether or not the Township shall proceed
with the removal or destruction of the building, wall or structure pursuant
to statute.
When any such removal or destruction shall have been undertaken and
completed by the Township, an accurate account of the cost and expense thereof
shall be kept, and a true statement under oath or affirmation shall be filed
by the Construction Official (who is hereby declared to be the officer in
charge of the removal of the building, wall or structure) with the Township
Clerk.
Any person, firm, or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be liable to the penalty stated in Chapter 1, § 1-17, and each violation of any of the provisions of this chapter and each day the same is violated shall be deemed and taken to be a separate and distinct offense.
