No ordinance or resolution may be adopted and no petition may be filed for the creation of a joint municipal consolidation study commission pursuant to sections 5 and 6 of this act while proceedings are pending under any other petition filed or ordinance adopted pursuant to the provisions of the "Optional Municipal Charter Law" or any other general law relating to a change in the form of government in any of the participating municipalities. No ordinance or resolution may be adopted and no petition may be filed for the creation of such a commission pursuant to the provisions of this act within four years after the date on which the question of consolidation has been submitted to the voters pursuant to section 25 of this act; provided, however, that the adoption of an ordinance or resolution or the filing of a petition and the holding of any referendum thereafter under the provisions of the "Optional Municipal Charter Law" or other general law relating to a change in the form of government in any of the participating municipalities, if such proceedings have been completed, shall not preclude the participating municipalities from proceeding under the provisions of this act notwithstanding the fact that four years may not have expired since the completion of said proceedings.
N.J.S. § 40:43-66.61