[Adopted 11-14-1984]
Terms used in this article shall be construed as follows, unless
another meaning is clearly apparent from the language or context or
unless such construction is inconsistent with the manifest intention
of the Board of the Special Services District.
The Chief of the Putnam Police Department or, in his absence,
the Lieutenant of the Putnam Police Department or the Chairman of
the Putnam Special Services District Authority.
Any state or other public highway, road, street, avenue,
alley, driveway, parkway or place under the control of the state or
any political subdivision thereof, dedicated, appropriated or opened
to public travel or other use.
A motor vehicle in a stationary position within the limits
of a public highway.
The broadcasting by at least one radio station having a general
listening audience within the District of the fact that a snow emergency
has been declared in the District.
A period of time prior to, as forecast by the United States
Weather Bureau, during or after a fall of snow, sleet or freezing
rain, during which period vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic is expected
to be hazardous or congested due to the elements, and during which
period the parking of vehicles in the normal fashion could hinder,
delay or obstruct the safe flow of such traffic and/or the proper
cleaning, clearing and making safe of the public highways of the Putnam
Special Services District.
Any device suitable for the conveyance, drawing or other
transportation of persons or property, whether operated on wheels,
runners, or by any other means, except those propelled or drawn by
human power or those used exclusively on tracks.
It is declared to be in the best interests of the public safety,
convenience and welfare of the Putnam Special Services District to
regulate and restrict the parking of vehicles on highways within the
control and limits of said District, during a period of snow emergency,
so as not to impede the transportation and movement of food, fuel,
medical care, fire, health, police protection and other vital facilities
of the District.
[Amended 2-13-1985]
A snow emergency shall be declared by the Chief of Police either
before, during or after a fall of snow, sleet or freezing rain, when
in his sound judgment and discretion the circumstances warrant the
declaration of such an emergency in the interest of safety upon the
highways of the District. The Chief of Police shall cause public announcement
of such declaration of snow emergency, which will go into effect from
12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. Such snow emergency shall be called each
succeeding 12:00 midnight to 6:00 a.m. until the Chief of Police shall
determine that such emergency no longer exists, either for portions
of the District or the entire District, and shall make public announcement
of same.
During the period of any declared snow emergency, it shall be
a violation of this article to park a vehicle upon a highway within
the District other than in the following manner:
A.
Vehicles may park on such streets, provided there is a licensed driver
behind the steering wheel, and provided such vehicle shall be moved
from the streets upon the approach of machinery or of workmen engaged
in the plowing or removal of snow from the streets.
In any prosecution, proceeding or other action hereunder, the
registered owner of any vehicle shall prima facie be presumed to have
been the operator who parked such vehicle in violation of this article.
[Amended 2-13-1985; 12-14-1993]
A.
Any owner, operator, person, firm or corporation violating any of
the provisions of this article shall be charged a fee of $10 for violation.
B.
Any person guilty of a second offense in violation of this article
shall be charged a fee of $25 for violation.
C.
In the event a snow emergency has been declared by the Chief of Police
before a fall of snow, sleet or freezing rain, and such weather does
not materialize, no owner, operator, person, firm or corporation shall
be charged with a violation.
[Amended 2-13-1985]
A.
In addition
to the foregoing penalty, any police officer of the District, by direction
of the Chief of Police, upon discovering any such vehicle parked in
a manner so as to hamper the clearing of snow from the streets of
the Putnam Special Services District or the passage of snow removal
machinery may remove or cause the same to be removed by a licensed
towing firm, under the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes
Section 14-150(b). Whenever a police officer removes or causes the
removal of a vehicle from a highway, as authorized by this article,
he shall comply with the requirements of notification set forth in
Section 14-150 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
B.
Before
the owner or person in charge of any vehicle is allowed to remove
such vehicle from the place to which it has been towed and/or stored,
he shall furnish evidence of his identity and ownership, sign a receipt
for such vehicle and shall pay the fee for towing and charges for
storage.
