N.J.A.C. 7:22 - 3.40 through 3.44 - Penalties

7:22-3.40 Noncompliance
(a) In addition to any other remedies as may be provided by law or in the Fund loan agreement, in the event of noncompliance with any loan condition, requirement of this subchapter, or contract requirement or specification, the Department may take any of the following actions or combinations thereof:

1. Issue a notice of noncompliance pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:22-3.41;
2. Withhold Fund loan moneys pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:22-3.42;
3. Order suspension of project work pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:22-3.43;
4. Terminate the Fund loan pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:22-3.44; and/ or
5. Issue administrative orders of enforcement pursuant to the New Jersey Water Pollution Control Act (N.J.S.A. 58:10A-1 et seq.) or the Safe Drinking Water Act (N.J.S.A. 58:12A-1 et seq.).

7:22-3.41 Notice of noncompliance
Where the Department determines that the recipient is in noncompliance with any condition or requirement of these rules or with any contract specification or requirement, it shall notify the recipient, its engineer, and/or the contractor of the noncompliance. The Department may require the recipient, its engineer, and/or contractor to take and complete corrective action within 10 working days of receipt of notice. If the recipient, its engineer, and/or contractor fails to take corrective action or if the action taken is inadequate, then the Department may issue a stop-work order or withhold disbursement. The Department may, however, withhold disbursement or issue a stop-work order pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:22-3.423 and 3.43 without issuing a notice pursuant to this section.

7:22-3.42 Withholding of funds
The Department may withhold, upon written notice to the recipient, a Fund loan disbursement or any portion thereof where it determines that a recipient has failed to comply with any loan condition, provision of this subchapter, or contract specification or requirement.

7:22-3.43 Stop-work orders
(a) The Department may order work to be stopped for good cause. Good cause shall include, but not be limited to, default by the recipient or noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the Fund loan. The Department shall limit use of stop-work orders to those situations where it is advisable to suspend work on the project or portion or phase of the project for important program or Department considerations.

(b) Prior to issuance, the Department shall afford the recipient an opportunity to discuss the stop-work order with Department personnel. The Department shall consider such discussions in preparing the order. Stop-work orders shall contain:

1. The reasons for issuance of the stop-work order;
2. A clear description of the work to be suspended;
3. Instructions as to the issuance of further orders by the recipient for materials or services;
4. Guidance as to action being taken on subagreements; and
5. Other suggestions to the recipient for minimizing costs.

(c) The Department may, by written order to the recipient (certified mail, return receipt requested), require the recipient to stop all, or any part of, the project work for a period of not more than 45 days after the recipient receives the order, and for any further period to which the parties may agree.

(d) The effects of a stop-work order are as follows:

1. Upon receipt of a stop-work order, the recipient shall immediately comply with the terms thereof and take all reasonable steps to minimize the incurrence of costs allocable to the work covered by the order during the period of work stoppage. Within the suspension period or within any extension of that period to which the parties shall have agreed, the Department shall either:
   1. Rescind the stop-work order, in full or in part;
   2. Terminate the work covered by such order as provided in N.J.A.C. 7:22-3.44; or
   3. Authorize resumption of work.
2. If a stop-work order is cancelled or the period of the order or any extension thereof expires, the recipient shall promptly resume the previously suspended work. An equitable adjustment shall be made in the Fund loan period, and/or the project, and the Fund loan agreement shall be modified if necessary. However, additional project costs as a result of this action shall be the responsibility of the recipient

7:22-3.44 Termination of loans
(a) Termination of loans by the Department shall be conducted as follows:

1. The Department may terminate a Fund loan in whole or in part for good cause. The term "good cause" shall include but not be limited to:
   1. Substantial failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the Fund loan agreement;
   2. Default by the recipient;
   3. A determination that the Fund loan was obtained by fraud;
   4. Without good cause therefor, substantial performance of the project work has not occurred;
   5. Gross abuse or corrupt practices in the administration of the project have occurred; or
   6. Fund moneys have been used for non-allowable costs.
2. The Department shall give written notice to the recipient (certified mail, return receipt requested) of its intent to terminate a Fund loan, in whole or in part, at least 30 days prior to the intended date of termination.
3. The Department shall afford the recipient an opportunity for consultation prior to any termination. After such opportunity for consultation, the Department may, in writing (certified mail, return receipt requested), terminate the Fund loan in whole or in part.

1. A recipient shall not unilaterally terminate the project work for which a Fund loan has been awarded, except for good cause and subject to negotiation and payment of appropriate termination settlement costs. The recipient shall promptly give written notice to the Department of any complete or partial termination of the project work by the recipient.
2. If the Department determines that there is good cause for the termination of all or any portion of a project for which the Fund loan has been awarded, the Department may enter into a termination agreement or unilaterally terminate the Fund loan effective with the date of cessation of the project work by the recipient. The determination to terminate the Fund loan shall be solely within the discretion of the Department. If the Department determines not to terminate, the recipient shall remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Fund loan agreement.
3. If the Department determines that a recipient has ceased work on a project without good cause, the Department may unilaterally terminate the Fund loan pursuant to this section.

   (c) The Department and recipient may enter into a mutual agreement to terminate at any time pursuant to terms which are consistent with this subchapter. The agreement shall establish the effective date of termination of the project and the schedule for repayment of the Fund loan.

   (d) Upon termination, the recipient may be required to immediately refund or repay to the State the entire amount of the Fund loan moneys received. If the loan is guaranteed by a security/deficiency agreement, such agreement may have to be brought into effect to ensure the entire repayment of the Fund loan. The Department may, at its discretion, authorize the immediate repayment of a specific portion of the Fund loan and allow the remaining balance to be repaid in accordance with a revised Fund loan repayment schedule.

   (e) The recipient shall reduce the amount of outstanding commitments insofar as possible and report to the Department the uncommitted balance of Fund moneys awarded under the Fund loan. The recipient shall make no new commitments without the Department's specific approval thereof. The Department shall make the final determination of the allowability of termination costs.

   (f) In addition to any termination action, the Department retains the right to pursue other legal remedies as may be available under federal, State and local law as warranted.