Except as provided in article four of this chapter (s. 40:56-58 et seq.), as to cities of the first class, when an improvement ordinance shall require the taking of real estate, or any interest therein, the ordinance when introduced shall state the location and character of the improvement proposed to be made and the real estate or interest therein proposed to be taken therefor, sufficiently described so as to be readily identified and located, and the ordinance as introduced shall be accompanied by a map showing in detail the location and dimensions of the real estate proposed to be taken, or in which rights and interests are to be taken.

After the passage of the ordinance the map together with a copy of the ordinance attested by the municipal clerk shall be filed by him with the officer or board charged with the duty of making assessments for benefits in the municipality, or with the commissioners appointed to make the assessments for benefits for the particular improvement, and said officer or board or commissioners shall proceed to make an award for the real estate, or interest therein to be taken for such improvement, to the owner or owners thereof, after hearings held, and upon notice thereof given in the way and manner provided in section 40:56-25 and 40:56-26 of this Title in the case of assessments for benefits and awards for incidental damages where no real estate or rights therein are to be taken, and shall certify and report the same to the governing body in the manner provided in section 40:56-30 of this Title. Said governing body shall proceed and act upon the report in the manner provided in said section 40:56-30 If for any reason, such as that the aggregate awards for damages are so large as to make the improvement unwise in the judgment of the governing body, nothing herein shall be construed to deprive it of power to abandon the proposed improvement and repeal the improvement ordinance, at any time before confirmation of any award for real estate to be taken thereunder.

When an award for damages for real estate or any interest therein taken for any local improvement is confirmed by the governing body, or the court, as the case may be, the amount thereof shall, after such confirmation, be tendered to the person or persons entitled thereto promptly and before the commencement of the work. If it is uncertain as to who is entitled thereto or if the municipality is unable to tender such award by reason of the incapacity or absence of any person entitled thereto, or otherwise, or if any person or persons refuse to accept or receive such award the same may be paid into the Superior Court to be distributed to the person or persons entitled thereto according to law.

Amended by L.1953, c. 37, p. 698, s. 182, eff. March 19, 1953.