The presence of abandoned or unregistered motor vehicles can constitute
a hazard to property and persons and creates a public nuisance. The vehicles,
their components and contents may be highly flammable; batteries and other
elements of such vehicles can contain acids and other matter potentially harmful
to humans; and such vehicles frequently contain sharp metal or glass edges
or points upon which a human could receive serious cuts and abrasions. These
vehicles can constitute an attractive nuisance to children and certain adults
and the presence of such vehicles is unsightly and tends to detract from the
value of surrounding land and property. This chapter is intended to regulate
and control the presence of abandoned or unregistered motor vehicles to protect
the public health, safety and general welfare.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to Municipal Home Rule Law § 10 and is specifically intended to supersede the provisions of Corinth Town Code §
87-8, which is hereby repealed.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ABANDONED
Left unattended with all right, title, claim and possession relinquished
and with the intention of not reclaiming it nor resuming its ownership, possession
or employment.
MOTOR VEHICLE
A passenger auto, truck, tractor-truck, trailer, bus, motorcycle,
mobile home or other vehicle however propelled (except a vehicle propelled
by muscle power) and also excepting tractors, bulldozers, machinery and equipment.
PERSONS
An individual, an association, a partnership and/or a corporation.
UNREGISTERED
Not registered in accordance with the Vehicle and Traffic Law of
the State of New York.
This chapter shall not apply to the following persons:
A. Persons who are dealers in secondhand, junk and auto
parts activities and businesses, provided that such persons are licensed to
conduct such activities and such persons comply with the Town Code provisions
regulating such activities.
B. Persons who are dealers in new or used motor vehicles,
provided that such persons are authorized by the State of New York to conduct
such activity, and provided, further, that the presence of unregistered motor
vehicles is limited to the principal place of business of such dealers.
C. Persons who have failed through error or inadvertence
to properly register any motor vehicle as required by law.
D. Persons who have discontinued their registration on a
temporary basis which shall not exceed six months.
E. Persons whose unregistered motor vehicle is specifically
exempted from registration by the Vehicle and Traffic Law of the State of
New York.
F. Persons whose unregistered motor vehicle is used principally
for the purpose of automobile racing and which motor vehicle, in fact, is
so used at least once every nine months on a sanctioned track with written
proof of same.
G. Persons having a maximum of one unregistered vehicle
in running condition for snowplowing and/or snow removal.
H. Persons whose unregistered vehicles are parked, stored,
placed or otherwise deposited in an enclosed permanent structure, such as
a garage or barn.
I. Persons whose unregistered vehicles are regularly used
on the premises for agricultural purposes.