The purpose of this chapter is to protect the health, safety,
morals and welfare of the citizens of the Borough of Eddystone by
causing the removal of abandoned, illegally parked, stored, wrecked,
junked and stripped automobiles, trucks, trailers and other vehicles
from both public and private property and to abate public nuisances
caused by the storage of, parking of and accumulations of vehicles
which are detrimental to the health, safety, morals and welfare of
the citizens of the Borough of Eddystone or which constitute a peril
to highway and traffic safety.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ABANDONED, WRECKED, ILLEGALLY PARKED, JUNKED AND STRIPPED
Any automobile, truck, trailer, motorcycle or other vehicle,
as defined in the Vehicle Code, which:
A.
Is inoperable and is left abandoned on a street, highway or
other public property for a period more than 48 hours.
B.
Has remained illegally on a street, highway or other public
property for a period more than 48 hours.
C.
Does not have a valid registration plate or a current certificate
of inspection or title and is left unattended on or along a street
or highway.
D.
Has remained on private property without the consent of the
owner or persons in control of the property for more than 48 hours.
E.
Is inoperable, is not a repairable vehicle, as defined herein,
and has remained on private property, except in a completely enclosed
structure or building, with or without the consent of the owner, for
a period in excess of seven days.
F.
Does not have a valid registration plate or a current certificate
of inspection or title, is not a repairable vehicle, as defined herein,
and has remained on private property, except in a completely enclosed
structure or building, with or without the consent of the owner, for
a period in excess of seven days.
ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE
Any vehicle parked contrary to any ordinance of the Borough
of Eddystone or contrary to any provision of the Pennsylvania Motor
Vehicle Code.
PERSON
A natural person, firm, copartnership, association or corporation.
REPAIRABLE VEHICLE
One that has been registered with the Borough of Eddystone
as a vehicle that will be repaired, properly licensed and inspected
within 30 days from the date of registration. For any wrecked, junked,
stripped or abandoned automobile, truck or motor vehicle on private
property to be considered a repairable vehicle, an application must
be made by the owner of the vehicle to the Borough of Eddystone, accompanied
by a registration fee of $25, certifying that the owner intends to
repair said vehicle within 30 days of the date of registration and
will have the vehicle properly inspected, licensed and in operating
condition within the allotted time. Upon application, the Police Department
shall certify that the vehicle may be registered as a repairable vehicle.
The initial thirty-day period may be extended for a further thirty-day
period upon the payment of a fee of $5 and written proof that the
owner has made a good faith effort to repair the vehicle within the
initial thirty-day period but has been unable to do so because of
the inability to obtain the necessary parts needed to complete repair.
VEHICLE
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property
is or may be transported or drawn.
The Eddystone Borough Police Department and the Borough Council,
upon recommendation of the Eddystone Borough Police Department, shall
have the authority to designate one or more salvor(s), selling agents,
storage garages or lot(s) as approved for the towing and storage of
impounded vehicles and shall authorize and issue a certificate of
authorization to every licensed salvor that complies with Title 75,
Chapter 73, of the Pennsylvania Statutes, as well as the Eddystone Borough Code and the regulations
adopted by the Eddystone Borough Police Department for the towing
and storage of abandoned, wrecked, stripped, junked or illegally parked
vehicles. Certificates of authorization shall be issued for a period
of one year and shall be subject to annual renewal.
Every such approved salvor, towing agent, storage garage or
lot shall post a bond in the amount of $50,000, to be filed with the
Borough Secretary, for the indemnification of the Borough of Eddystone,
Eddystone Borough Police Department and the owner and lienholder of
any such impounded vehicle against the loss thereof, or for injury
or damage thereto, while in the custody of said salvor, towing agent,
storage garage or lots. Each salvor may have one bond to cover all
places of business owned by said salvor.
Notice that a vehicle has been towed shall be given by personal
service or registered mail to the last known address of the violator.
If the identity of the last known registered owner and of all lienholders
cannot be determined with reasonable certainty, the contents of the
notice set forth in this chapter shall be published one time in one
newspaper of general circulation in the area where the vehicle was
towed from. The notice may contain multiple listings of abandoned,
wrecked, stripped or illegally parked vehicles. Notice by publication
locally shall be the responsibility of the salvor and such notice
shall have the same effect as notice sent by certified mail, return
receipt requested.
The Police Department shall keep a record of all vehicles impounded
and shall at all times be able to furnish the owners or agents of
the owners thereof with information as to the place of storage of
such vehicles.