Any local unit shall have power to accept any advance or grant of money made by the Federal government to aid in financing the cost of preparing plans for any public project which the local unit has lawful authority to undertake, and shall have power to agree to repay any such advance or grant if, and when, the local unit shall undertake such public project. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, any local unit may make such an agreement although the funds necessary to make the repayment required by the agreement shall not have been previously made available by an appropriation or by the authorization of bonds.
N.J.S. § 40A:5-30