58:5-17. Condemnation; proceedings upon refusal of money tendered for property taken; payment into court; withdrawal

Any district water supply commission instituting an action for the acquisition of land or other property under and by virtue of the provisions of chapter one of the Title, Eminent Domain (s. 20:1-1 et seq.), may upon offer made to and refused by the owner of such property of such sum of money as in the opinion of the commission is the reasonable value of the property, pay the sum of money so offered into the Superior Court, there to await the determination of the action. Nothing contained in this section shall apply to any property devoted to or held for any public use by any board, commission or agency of this State, municipality or county of this State, or by any public utility as the same is defined by section 48:2-13 of the Title, Public Utilities.

The payment of such sum into the court shall operate to stop the running of interest upon any award thereafter made to the amount of such deposit and upon said payment the condemning party may forthwith enter in and upon the property sought to be acquired in the same manner and with like power as though the action in condemnation had been completed.

If, during the pendency of the action in condemnation, a good and sufficient deed of conveyance for the rights and interests sought to be condemned shall be executed and delivered to the authority seeking to condemn, the owners may forthwith apply to the court for the withdrawal of said funds.

Amended by L.1945, c. 195, p. 674, s. 1; L.1953, c. 54, p. 953, s. 7.