40:60-25.58 - Declaration of taking; filing; deposit of estimated value; surrender of possession; notice; amount of compensation - New Jersey Statutes

40:60-25.58.  Declaration of taking;  filing;  deposit of estimated value; surrender of possession;  notice;  amount of compensation    On or after the institution of an action by the municipality for condemnation of property and to fix the compensation to be paid for such property, the municipality may file with the Clerk of the Superior Court a declaration of taking, signed by the duly authorized municipal official, declaring that all or any part of such property described in the petition is being taken by and for the use of the municipality.  The declaration of taking shall set forth (1) a description of such tract or parcel of property to be taken, to which there may be attached a plan or map thereof; (2) a statement of the estate or interest in the said property being taken; and (3) a statement of the sum of money estimated by the municipality to be just compensation for the property taken, which sum shall not be less than the last assessed valuation for tax purposes of the estate or interest in the property to be taken.

    Upon the filing of the aforesaid declaration of taking and the deposit in court to the use of the persons entitled thereto, of the sum of money estimated  by the municipality to be just compensation for the property taken as stated  above, title to the property described as being taken by said declaration shall  vest in the municipality (free from the right, title, interest or lien of all  persons), and said property shall be deemed to be condemned and taken for the  use of the municipality and the right to just compensation for the same shall  vest in the persons entitled thereto.

    Upon the filing of the declaration of taking and the making of the deposit as aforesaid, the court shall designate a day not exceeding 90 days after such filing, except for good cause shown, on which persons in possession shall be required to surrender possession to the municipality.

    Upon the expiration of the period designated by the court as herein provided, the municipality, without other process or proceedings shall be entitled to the exclusive possession and use of each tract or parcel of property described in the declaration and may forthwith enter into and take possession of said property, it being the intent of this provision that the action to fix the compensation to be paid or any other proceeding relating to the taking of such property or entering therein shall not delay the taking of possession and the use thereof by the municipality for purposes authorized by this act.  The municipality shall not abandon any condemnation proceeding pursuant to this act subsequent to the date upon which it has taken possession of the property as herein provided.

    The municipality shall cause notice of the filing of said declaration of taking and the making of said deposit to be served upon each party to the action to fix the compensation to be paid, who resides in this State, either personally or by leaving a copy thereof at his dwelling house or usual place of  abode, and upon each such party who resides out of the State by mailing notice  thereof to him at his usual place of abode if known.  In the event that the  usual place of abode of any such party or the name of such party is unknown,  such notice shall be published at least once in a newspaper published or  circulating in the county or counties in which the property is located.  Such  service, mailing or publishing, shall be made within 30 days after the filing  of the declaration.

    Any party in interest after notice to other parties in interest, including the municipality, may make application to a judge of the Superior Court who may  order that the money deposited with the Clerk of the Superior Court, or any  part thereof, be paid forthwith to the person or persons entitled thereto for  or on account of the just compensation to be awarded in said proceeding; provided, that each such person shall have filed with Clerk of the Superior Court a consent in writing and such security as may be required by the court that, in the event the award in the condemnation proceeding shall be less than the amount deposited, the court, after notice and hearing as herein provided, may determine the liability, if any, for the return of such difference or any part thereof and enter judgment therefor.

    The ultimate amount of compensation shall be determined pursuant to Title 20  of the Revised Statutes.  If the amount so fixed shall exceed the amount so  deposited in court by the municipality or otherwise paid to the persons entitled thereto, the court shall enter judgment against the municipality in the amount of such deficiency, together with interest at the legal rate on such  deficiency from the date of the vesting of title to the date of the entry of  the final judgment (subject, however, to abatement for use, income, rents or  profits derived from such property by the owner thereof subsequent to the  vesting of title in the municipality), and the court shall order the municipality to deposit the amount of such deficiency in court.  The money deposited into court by a municipality shall be secured in such manner as may be directed by the court and shall be disbursed according to the order or judgment of the court to the persons found to be entitled thereto by the final award or judgment of the court. In case the amount deposited in court by the municipality as the estimated compensation for the property shall exceed the amount of the award or judgment, such excess shall be returned to the municipality, unless the amount of the deposit or any part thereof shall have been distributed as aforesaid, in which event, the court, on petition of the municipality and notice to all persons interested in the award and affording them an opportunity to be heard, shall enter judgment in favor of the municipality for such difference against the party or parties liable for the return thereof.  The municipality shall cause notice of the date, fixed for such hearing, to be served upon each party thereto residing in this State in accordance with the requirements of the laws of this State relating to service of process.  In the event that the residence of any party or the name of any party is unknown, such notice shall be published at least once in a newspaper published or circulating in the county in which the property is located.  Such service, mailing or publication, shall be made at least 10 days before the date  fixed for such hearing.

     L.1967, c. 11, s. 2, eff. March 13, 1967.