If it appears by the certificate of the clerk that both the majority of the votes cast are in favor of the adoption of chapters 70 to 76 of this title (s. 40:70-1 et seq.), and that the number of votes cast in favor of such adoption is equal in number to at least thirty per cent of the total number of legal ballots cast in such municipality at the last preceding general election, said chapters 70 to 76 of this title shall in all respects become and be operative in such municipality, and binding upon its inhabitants and upon all persons and property to be affected thereby.
N.J.S. § 40:71-6