Unless a resolution is received in accordance with section 4 of this act by an insurance company writing fire insurance policies in any municipality having adopted an ordinance pursuant to section 2 of this act, such insurance company is hereby authorized and required, prior to the payment of any claims for fire damages in excess of $2,500.00, to pay the amount of the anticipated demolition costs, if so required by the municipal ordinance, to the municipality in the manner provided by section 1 of this act and to pay to the municipality the amount of the liens appearing on the official certificate and such other recorded liens or related charges as may be certified to the insurance company. If an appeal is taken on the amount of any lien or charge, other than an appeal on the assessed valuation of real property pursuant to R.S. 54:3-21, the insurance company shall issue a draft payable to the court of record, to be held by the court in an interest bearing escrow account in a State or federally chartered bank, savings bank, or savings and loan association in the State, in an amount totaling 75% of the full amount of the lien or charge being contested, but not to exceed the proceeds payable under its insurance policy, and the insurance company shall issue a draft payable to the municipality for the remaining 25% of the lien or charge being contested, with the full amount paid by the insurance company to the court and the municipality not to exceed the proceeds payable under its insurance policy, pending termination of all proceedings, at which time such moneys and all interest accruing thereon, at a rate paid on interest bearing accounts in State or federally chartered banks, savings banks or savings and loan associations in the State, shall be disbursed in accordance with the final order or judgment of the court.

L. 1978, c. 184, s. 3. Amended by L. 1979, c. 369, s. 3, eff. Feb. 4, 1980; L. 1984, c. 244, s. 3, eff. Jan. 3, 1985; L. 1985, c. 519, s. 3, eff. Jan. 21, 1986.