Wherever a motor vehicle appears to have been abandoned on any
street or public property within the Township or whenever a motor
vehicle is parked or left on any street or public property within
the Township in violation of any state statute or local ordinance
under circumstances which may adversely affect the public safety or
welfare, a police officer or employee of the Department of Public
Works may arrange for the removal of such motor vehicle for storage
at a location designated by resolution of the Township Committee as
a storage yard for motor vehicles impounded pursuant to the provisions
of this chapter. Any removal shall be performed by the Township or
by a private tower pursuant to procedures established therefor by
the Township Committee.
Upon the redemption of a motor vehicle which has been towed
to a Township storage yard pursuant to the provisions of this chapter,
the owner shall pay to the Township or the private tower such amount
as may be currently established or approved by the Township Committee.
[Amended 8-26-2003 by Ord. No. 17-2003]
Upon the redemption of a motor vehicle that has been towed to a Township storage yard pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the owner shall pay to the Township a storage charge in accordance with the schedule in Chapter
160, Fees.
Any motor vehicle which remains unredeemed for a period of 30
days after being placed in a storage yard pursuant to the provisions
of this chapter shall be subject to sale or other disposal by the
Township pursuant to state law.
In the event that a motor vehicle is towed solely for the convenience
of police business or solely by reason of the occurrence of an emergency,
such as a fire or street cave-in, the motor vehicle may be redeemed
by the owner without charge, and all expenses of towing and storage
will be met by the Township.
No motor vehicle may be towed to or stored on any property of the Township except a storage yard designated by the Township Committee as provided in §
323-1, and no motor vehicle may be towed to or stored in any such storage yard except at the direction of a Township Police Officer or employee of the Department of Public Works.
The Township shall not be responsible or liable for any damage
to or any loss of any motor vehicle which is towed to or kept in any
storage yard pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, nor shall
the Township be responsible or liable for the contents of any such
motor vehicle.
The provisions of §§
323-2,
323-3,
323-4 and
323-7 shall apply to the towing and storage of motor vehicles taken into possession within the Township by law enforcement officers in connection with criminal proceedings.