The Chief of Police of the town is hereby authorized
to remove and impound or to order the removal and impoundment of any
vehicle parked on any of the streets, highways or public property
in the town in violation of any provision of the law or of any ordinance
of the town; provided, however, that no such vehicle shall be removed
or impounded except in strict adherence to the provisions of this
article.
Garages located in the town may be designated
from time to time by the Mayor and Council as approved storage garages,
as pounds for the storage of such impounded vehicles.
Every such approved storage garage or pound
shall be bonded in the amount of $3,000 for the indemnifying of the
owner of every such impounded vehicle against the loss thereof or
injury or damage thereto while in the custody of such poundkeeper.
The towing charge to be collected by every such poundkeeper shall be as provided in Chapter
102, Fees, and the storage charge for the first day and for each additional day shall be as provided in Chapter
102, Fees.
Within 12 hours from the time of removal of
any vehicle under the authority granted by this article, notice of
the fact that such vehicle has been impounded shall be sent by the
Chief of Police of the town to the owner of record of such vehicle.
Such notice shall designate the place from which such vehicle was
removed, the reason for its removal and impounding and the pound in
which it shall have been impounded.
The Chief of Police shall keep a record of all
vehicles impounded and shall be able at all reasonable times to furnish
the owners or the agents of the owners thereof with information as
to the place of storage of such vehicles.
The payment of towing and storage charges authorized
by this article shall not operate to relieve the owner or operator
of any vehicle from liability for any fine or penalty for violation
of any law or ordinance on account of which such vehicle was removed
and impounded.
No vehicle shall be removed under the authority
of this article if, at the time of the intended removal thereof, the
owner or person for the time being in charge of such vehicle is present
and expresses a willingness and intention to remove such vehicle immediately.