New Jersey § 40a:31-5

§ 40a:31-5.

One or more local units adopting an ordinance or resolution in accordance with N.J.S.40A:31-4 are authorized and empowered: a. Alone or in combination with a private water company or the State, to acquire,

construct, improve, extend, enlarge or reconstruct and finance water supply facilities,

and to operate, manage and control all or part of these facilities and all properties

relating thereto; b. To issue bonds of the local unit or units to pay all or part of the cost of the

water supply facilities; c. To receive and accept from the federal or State government, or any agency or instrumentality

thereof, grants or loans for, or in aid of, the planning, purchase, construction,

improvement, extension, enlargement or reconstruction, or financing of water supply

facilities, and to receive and accept from any source, contributions or money, property,

labor or other things of value to be held, used and applied only for the purposes

for which the grants or loans and contributions are made; d. To acquire in the name of the local unit or units by gift, purchase, or by the

exercise of the right of eminent domain, such lands and rights and interests therein,

including lands under water and riparian rights, and such personal property as may

be deemed necessary for acquisition, construction, improvement, extension, enlargement

or reconstruction, or for the efficient operation of any facilities acquired or constructed

under the provisions of N.J.S.40A:31-1 et seq. and to hold and dispose of all real and personal property so acquired; e. To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to

the performance of the local unit's or units' duties and the execution of powers authorized

under N.J.S.40A:31-1 et seq. , and to employ consulting and other engineers, superintendents, managers, attorneys,

financial or other consultants or experts, and such other employees and agents as

may be deemed necessary, and to fix their compensation; f. Subject to the provisions and restrictions set forth in the ordinance or resolution

authorizing or securing any bonds issued under the provisions of N.J.S.40A:31-1 et seq. , to enter into contracts with the federal or State government, or any agency or instrumentality

thereof, or with any other local unit, private corporation, copartnership, association

or individual providing for, or relating to, water supply, which contracts may provide

for the furnishing of water supply services either by or to the local unit or units,

or the joint construction or operation of water supply facilities; g. To fix and collect rates, fees, rents and other charges in accordance with N.J.S.40A:31-1 et seq. ; h. Upon the request of a customer: (1) to offer the customer the ability to receive

or access, in electronic format, any periodic bill for service sent by the local unit

or units to its customers and any additional information sent by the local unit or

units to its customers as required by law, provided that any notice of disconnection,

discontinuance or termination of water service shall be sent to a customer in written

form at the customer's legal mailing address in addition to being sent or being made

available in electronic format; and (2) to provide the customer the option of paying

any such periodic bill via electronic means; and i. To exercise any other powers necessary or incidental to the effectuation of the general

purposes of N.J.S.40A:31-1 et seq .