If the lien held by a person upon chattels in his possession for labor or materials furnished in the repair or construction thereof, and the amount due thereon, either in whole or part, shall remain unpaid for 3 months after the same became due and payable, the person having the lien may sell the chattels at public auction.
If the chattels are of a nature as to be easily separated or divided, no more shall be sold than necessary, as near as may be, to make sufficient money to pay the lien and expenses of the sale. Notice of the sale shall be given by publishing the notice once in each of the 2 weeks preceding the day of sale in a newspaper circulating in the county and by posting in 5 public places in the municipality in which the chattels are located, and by mailing a copy of the notice to the owner, if his address is known, not less than 5 days before the day of sale.
N.J.S. § 2A:44-33