A. If the Enforcement Officer has reason to believe that a property subject to the provisions of this chapter is posing a serious threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, the Code Enforcement Officer may temporarily secure the property at the expense of the mortgagee or owner, and may bring the violations before the Town of Hammonton’s Code Enforcement Official as soon as possible to address the conditions of the property. Nothing herein shall limit the Town from abating any nuisance or unsafe condition by any other legal means available to it.
B. The Town of Hammonton Code Enforcement Official shall have the authority to require the mortgagee or owner affected by this section, to implement additional maintenance and/or security measures including, but not limited to, securing any and all doors, windows or other openings, employment of an on-site security guard or other measures as may be reasonably required to help prevent further decline of the property.
C. If there is a finding that the condition of the property is posing a serious threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, the Town of Hammonton Code Enforcement Official may direct the Town to abate the violations and charge the mortgagee or owner with the cost of the abatement.
D. If the mortgagee or owner does not reimburse the Town for the cost of temporarily securing the property, or of any abatement directed Code Enforcement Official, within 30 days of the Town sending the mortgagee the invoice then such amount, together with an administrative fee of $500 to address the Town’s administrative expenses, shall be a lien against the property and recorded and collected as provided by the statutes of the State of New Jersey.
E. The Town may contract with an entity to implement this chapter, and, if so, any reference to the Enforcement Officer herein shall include the entity the Town contracts with for that purpose.