A.Â
Authority to impound vehicles.
[Amended 6-20-2011 by L.L. No. 8-2011]
(1)Â
When any vehicle is parked or abandoned on any highway or public
area within this Village during a snowstorm, flood, fire or other
public emergency which affects that portion of the public highway
upon which said vehicle is parked or abandoned, said vehicle may be
removed by the Village Department of Public Works or a private licensed
tow truck operator upon direction of the Superintendent of the Department
of Public Works, Village Building Inspector or police officer.
(2)Â
When any vehicle is found unattended on any highway or public area
within this Village where said vehicle constitutes an obstruction
to traffic, said vehicle may be removed by the Village Department
of Public Works or a private licensed tow truck operator upon direction
of the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works, Village Building
Inspector or police officer.
(3)Â
When any vehicle is parked or abandoned on any highway within this
Village where stopping, standing or parking is prohibited, said vehicle
may be removed by the Village Department of Public Works or a private
licensed tow truck operator upon direction of the Superintendent of
the Department of Public Works, Village Building Inspector or police
officer.
(4)Â
When any vehicle is found on any highway or public area within this
Village which has not moved for at least 48 hours it may be deemed
abandoned and may be removed by the Village Department of Public Works
or a private licensed tow truck operator upon direction of the Superintendent
of the Department of Public Works, Village Building Inspector, or
Police Officer.
[Amended 10-4-2021 by L.L. No. 3-2021]
B.Â
Storage and charges.
[Amended 6-20-2011 by L.L. No. 8-2011]
(1)Â
After removal of any vehicle, as provided in this section, such vehicle
will be stored in a suitable place at the expense of the owner. Such
owner or person in charge of the vehicle may redeem the same upon
payment to the Village of Haverstraw or private towing and storage
company of the amount of all expenses actually and necessarily incurred
in effecting such removal, together with any charges for storage,
such storage charges not to exceed $25 per day or fraction thereof.
(2)Â
In the event the towing herein is done by Village
employees, the owner of the vehicle shall be charged a fee equal to
the maximum towing fee applicable, pursuant to Rockland County towing
rates, and a storage fee of $25 per day for each of the first 10 days
and $10 for each and every day thereafter if the vehicle is stored
on Village property.
C.Â
Notice of removal. The Superintendent of Public Works
shall, without delay, report the removal and the disposition of any
vehicle removed, as provided in this article, to the Mayor, who shall
cause the Chief of Police to ascertain, to the extent possible, the
owner of the vehicle or person having same in charge and to notify
him of the removal and disposition of such vehicle and of the amount
which will be required to redeem the same. The notification shall
be by phone (if possible) and by certified mail, return receipt requested.
D.Â
Sale or conversion of abandoned vehicles.
(1)Â
Auction sale of abandoned vehicles. In the event that
vehicles are abandoned, as provided in § 1224 of the Vehicle
and Traffic Law of the State of New York, the Village of Haverstraw
may cause the same to be auctioned at a public auction after due notice
to the public, as provided by applicable statute, the proceeds of
which auction are to be applied to the general fund of the Village
of Haverstraw. The Village Clerk is hereby authorized to execute certificates
of transfer of title to the vehicles so auctioned.
(2)Â
Conversion of abandoned vehicles. In the event that
vehicles are abandoned, as provided in § 1224 of the Vehicle
and Traffic Law of the State of New York, the Village of Haverstraw
may convert in any calendar year 1% of its unclaimed abandoned vehicles
or two such vehicles, whichever is greater, to its own use.
E.Â
Any person intentionally abandoning any vehicle as defined in this
article shall be subject to a fine, in addition to the charges above
for towing and storage, of not more than $500 for each offense.
[Amended 6-20-2011 by L.L. No. 8-2011]
