The purpose of this chapter is to provide for
the removal of abandoned or inoperable, motor vehicles within the
Town of Haddam.
For the purpose of the chapter, the following
terms, phrases, words, and their derivatives shall have the meanings
given herein:
ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLE
Any vehicle parked, stored or left for a period of time greater
than 24 consecutive hours on any public or private property within
the Town without the consent of the owner, occupant or public agency
in control of such property.
INOPERABLE CONDITION
A motor vehicle is in an inoperable condition when such motor
vehicle is incapable of performing the function for which it was designed
by virtue of having parts missing, or essential components broken
or severely damaged.
MOTOR VEHICLE
Any vehicle which is self-propelled and designed to travel
along the ground, including but not limited to automobiles, buses,
trucks, campers, towable camping trailers, motor homes and the quantity
of parts equivalent in bulk to constitute a motor vehicle.
OPERABLE VEHICLE
A motor vehicle is in operable condition when such motor
vehicle is capable of performing the function for which it was designed
by virtue of having no missing or essential components broken or severely
damaged. The vehicle shall have fully inflated tires, with no broken
or missing windows.
PERSON
Individuals and legal persons such as partnerships, associations,
corporations, limited-liability companies, societies, legal representatives
and trustees.
PRIVATE PROPERTY
Any real property within the Town which is privately owned
and which is not public property as defined in this section.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Any street or highway within the Town, including the entire
width between the boundary lines of every way publicly maintained
for the purpose of vehicular travel, and any other publicly owned
property or facility within the Town.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY
The person in whose name the motor vehicle is registered,
or in the case of an unregistered motor vehicle, the owner or occupant
of the land whereon such motor vehicle is located.
VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE (VEC)
The Vehicle Enforcement Committee consists of the Vehicle
Enforcement Officer and two regular volunteers and one alternate volunteer
who live in the Town who are appointed by the Board of Selectmen.
Any person to whom a notice of violation as
described in §
251-4 is directed, or the person's duly authorized
agent, may file a written request for a hearing on the notice of violation
with the appeals board within 15 days from the date of notice.
The owner of any vehicle seized under the provision
of this chapter may redeem such vehicle any time after its removal
but prior to the sale or destruction thereof. To redeem the vehicle
the owner shall present proof of ownership to the VEO and shall reimburse
the Town all expenses incurred in the removal, storage and miscellaneous
expenses for the vehicle being redeemed.