§ 148-19. Lien for costs; sale of materials; disposition of proceeds.

A. 

The amount of the cost of filing of legal papers, expert witnesses' fees, search fees and advertising charges incurred in the course of any proceeding taken under this article determined in favor of the Borough; and such repairs, alterations or improvements, or vacating and closing, or removal or demolition, as the case may be, shall be a municipal lien against the real property upon which such cost was incurred. If the building is removed or demolished and the materials of such building can be sold, the proceeds of any sale of such materials or any sum derived from any contract for the removal or demolition of the building shall be credited against the cost of the removal or demolition thereof. If there are no such credits, or if the total sum of such costs exceeds the total of such credits, a detailed statement of the aforesaid costs and the amount so due shall be filed as a lien certificate with the Borough Tax Assessor or other custodian of the records of tax liens, and a copy thereof shall be sent forthwith to the owner by registered mail.

B. 

If the total of the credits exceeds such costs, the balance remaining shall be deposited by the building inspector in the Superior Court of New Jersey and shall be secured in such manner as may be directed by such court. The proceeds shall be disbursed according to the order or judgment of such court to the persons found entitled thereto by final order or judgment of the court. Any owner or party in interest may, within 30 days from the date of the filing of the lien certificate, proceed in a summary manner in the Superior Court of New Jersey to contest the reasonableness of the amount or the accuracy of the costs set forth in the lien certificate.