[Added 2-11-1997 by Ord. No. 931]
A. When authorized by statute, the attorney's fees collected by the township in conjunction with the litigation or the collection of delinquent accounts shall be charged at the hourly rate approved by the Board of Commissioners from time to time for litigation services rendered by such attorney or his or her law firm.
B. Municipal claim. For purposes of this chapter, the term "municipal claim" shall mean any claim identified, defined, prescribed or provided for in the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law, as amended.
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C. Procedure for collection.
(1) At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorney's fees in connection with the collection of a delinquent account, the township shall, by United States certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, mail to the property owner the notice required by this subsection.
(2) If within 30 days of mailing the notice in accordance with Subsection C(1), the certified mail is refused or unclaimed or the return receipt is not received, then at least 10 days prior to assessing or imposing attorney's fees in connection with the collection of a delinquent account, the township shall, by United States first class mail, mail to the property owner the notice required by this subsection.
(3) The notice required by this subsection shall be mailed to the property owner's last known post office address by virtue of the knowledge and information possessed by the township and by the office in Montgomery County responsible for assessments and revisions of taxes. It shall be the duty of the township to determine the owner's last post office address known to said Collector and County Assessment Office.
(4) The notice to the property owner shall include the following:
(a) A statement of the township's intent to impose or assess attorney's fees within 30 days of mailing the notice pursuant to Subsection C(1), or within 10 days of mailing the notice pursuant to Subsection C(2).
(b) The manner in which the imposition or assessment of attorney's fees may be avoided by payment of the delinquent account.
(5) If the municipal claim is not paid in full within 30 days of mailing the notice (or within 30 days after mailing the second notice if required as outlined above), the township shall proceed to collect the municipal claim by judicial proceedings as provided by law.
1 Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 7101 et seq.