§ 55:19-96 — Procedure for municipality to purchase, sell property

19. a. Where the municipality seeks to gain title to the property, it shall purchase the property for fair market value on such terms as the court shall approve, and may place the proceeds of sale in escrow with the court. The court may authorize the municipality to sell the building free and clear of liens, claims and encumbrances, in which event all such liens, claims and encumbrances shall be transferred to the proceeds of sale with the same priority as existed prior to resale in accordance with the provisions of this section, except that municipal liens shall be paid at settlement. The proceeds of the purchase of the property shall be distributed as set forth in section 20 of P.L.2003, c.210 (C.55:19-97). b. The municipality may seek approval of the court to sell the property to a third party when the court finds that such conveyance will further the effective and timely rehabilitation and reuse of the property. c. Upon approval by the court the municipality shall sell the property on such terms and at such price as the court shall approve, and may place the proceeds of sale in escrow with the court. The court shall order a distribution of the proceeds of sale after paying court costs in the order of priority set forth in section 20 of P.L.2003, c.210 (C.55:19-97). L.2003,c.210,s.19.