(A) The Township of Voorhees shall create and maintain a registry of all commercial and/or residential properties within its municipal boundary for which a summons and complaint in an action to foreclose has been filed with the New Jersey Superior Court, pursuant to its authority granted by P.L. 2021, c. 444. This registry will be formed and maintained to assist the Township with regulating the maintenance, security, and upkeep of properties which may become vacant and abandoned during the foreclosure process, in order to prevent the deleterious effects of blight associated with vacant and abandoned properties that are not maintained.
(B) The Township of Voorhees may, at its discretion, create, maintain and administer this registry independently, retain the professional services of a third party pursuant to the Local Public Contracts Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1 et seq., or participate in a Shared Services Agreement with other local units, counties, and/or County Improvement Authorities for the creation, maintenance and administration of the registry pursuant to the Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act, N.J.S.A. 40A:65-1 et seq.
(C) Any third parties retained to create, maintain, and/or administer the registry shall have the authority, on behalf of the Township to:
(1) Identify properties subject to the registration requirement;
(2) Maintain and update the registration list;
(3) Communicate with creditors and/or in-state representatives;
(4) Invoice and collect payment of fees;
(5) Monitor compliance; and
(6) Such other functions, within the scope of P.L. 2021, c. 444, which may be deemed necessary to carry out its function on behalf of the Township.
(D) Any third parties retained to create, maintain, and/or administer the registry shall be required to comply with the following reporting and payment requirements:
(1) Any and all amounts collected by the third party as part of its administration of the Township's registry, including registration fees, interest, and penalties, shall be paid, in full, directly to the Township or Camden County, and/or Camden County Improvement Authority as applicable, not less than once per year, or as otherwise directed by the Township. No fees, payments, expenses, or other deductions shall be made from this payment; payment for any third party's services under this chapter shall be made by the Township or, as applicable, the County/County Improvement Authority, directly to the third party, under the terms and conditions outlined within the contract for professional services.
(2) Not less than once per year on the first business day of each calendar year, or as otherwise may be requested by the Tax Collector, any third party administering the Township's registry shall file with the Tax Collector a certification identifying:
(a) The address, block, lot and contact information of any property for which registration fees under this chapter are due and owing at the time of the certification;
(b) The amount of the registration fees, and separately, any interest, fines, and other penalties due and owing at the time of the certification; and
(c) The date on which the property became eligible for inclusion on the Township's registry.
(E) The Township's Clerk or his or her designee shall serve as the municipal official responsible for notifying creditors, establishing and maintaining the registry, determining eligibility for designation as a vacant and abandoned property under this chapter, and for imposing fees, penalties, and/or violations. The responsibilities herein may be designated to a third party, pursuant to the terms and conditions of a contract for professional services consistent with P.L. 2021, c. 444.
(Ord. 408-22, passed 9-12-22)