[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of West Hartford 11-26-1974.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
Any person who finds within the Town of West Hartford and takes possession
of any article of the value of $1 or more shall report the finding of such
article to the Police Department within 48 hours from the time of such finding.
The finder of such article shall, at the time of reporting, furnish to the
Police Department the date, time and place of finding, his or her name and
address and a description of the article found and, within a period of one
week from such finding, shall deliver such article to the Police Department.
Any person who violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this section
shall be fined not more than $100 or be imprisoned not more than 30 days,
or both.
A.Â
The Police Department shall, commencing within one week
from the date of receipt of any lost article, advertise a general description
of such article once a week for at least two successive weeks in a newspaper
having a circulation in the Town of West Hartford and shall retain custody
of such article for six months from the date of receipt thereof, unless it
is claimed by the rightful owner within such six-month period. The requirement
of advertising may be omitted when the value or estimated value of the article
is less than $10.
B.Â
Perishable or obnoxious property or articles of a dangerous
or harmful nature may be sold or otherwise disposed of as soon as practicable
on the best terms available.
If the owner of any such article claims it within six months from the
date of receipt by the Police Department, the article or the proceeds thereof
shall be restored to him or her upon payment or deduction of all proper charges.
If no owner claims such article within six months from the receipt thereof
by the Police Department, the Police Department shall, within two weeks thereafter,
notify the finder of such fact by registered or certified mail at his or her
last known address, and the article or the proceeds thereof shall be turned
over to the finder, upon demand by the finder within 30 days from the expiration
of the six-month period and upon payment or deduction of all proper charges,
but if such finder fails to demand such article or the proceeds thereof or
refuses to pay such charges within 30 days from the expiration of the six-month
period, such article or proceeds shall belong to the Town of West Hartford.
The requirement of notification may be omitted when the value or estimated
value of the article is less than $10.
The Police Department shall sell at public auction any articles which
it acquires as provided herein after the expiration of the time for the owner
or finder to demand the same and after the time and place of such sale and
a description of the articles to be sold have been advertised once a week
for two successive weeks in a newspaper having a circulation in the Town of
West Hartford. The net proceeds from such sales and the unclaimed net proceeds
from the sale of perishable or obnoxious property or articles of a dangerous
or harmful nature shall be paid to the Treasurer of the Town of West Hartford,
who shall deposit them in the Police Benefit Fund, if any, of such Town of
West Hartford.
