[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Groton 4-28-2014 ATM by Art. 20.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Unregistered vehicles rules and regulations — See Ch. 273.
[1]
Editor's Note: This article also repealed former Ch. 205,
Vehicles, Unregistered, adopted 3-21-1987 by Art. 26, as amended.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate and control unregistered
and disassembled motor vehicles within the Town of Groton, to protect
the views along the Town's publicly traveled ways and to keep
the visual impact of such vehicles on the adjacent neighborhoods to
a minimum. Any motor vehicle which does not have a displayed, valid
license plate will be considered unregistered for purposes of administration
and enforcement of this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
No visible evidence of the vehicle discernible at boundaries
of the property.
Any motor vehicle or trailer (as defined in said Chapter 90, § 1), that is not capable of being used as such in its existing condition by reason of being damaged, dismantled or failing to contain parts necessary for operation. Any unregistered vehicle, as defined herein, shall be considered an inoperable vehicle for the purposes of this chapter.
A motor vehicle which is worn out, cast off or discarded,
or which has been collected or stored for salvage or for stripping
in order to make use of the parts thereof. Any parts from such a vehicle
shall also be considered a "junk vehicle" for purposes of this chapter.
Any motor vehicle as that term is defined in MGL C. 90, § 1.
Any motor vehicle or trailer that is not registered in accordance
with MGL C. 90, § 2.
A.
In no event shall an unregistered motor vehicle or parts thereof
be permitted to remain on a property for more than 30 days without
being concealed.
B.
The provisions of Subsection A shall not apply to motor vehicles designed and used for farming purposes, nor to persons and firms legally operating an automotive or trucking enterprise, nor to persons or firms in lawful exercise of licenses granted under MGL. C. 140, §§ 58 and 59, as amended.
A.
The Select Board is hereby authorized to adopt and, from time to
time as necessary, to amend reasonable rules and regulations for the
administration and enforcement of this chapter and to set such (nonrefundable)
fees as may be required for the administration thereof, but only after
a public hearing.
[Amended 10-1-2018 ATM
by Art. 14]
B.
A copy of this chapter and any rules and regulations pertaining thereto shall be attached to each copy of an application form and made available to all applicants for a permit under the provisions of § 205-3.
C.
The Select Board shall notify all abutters within 300 feet of the
property of a scheduled meeting of the Select Board to consider the
granting of a permit.
[Amended 10-1-2018 ATM
by Art. 14]
D.
The Select Board may designate an officer or agent of the Town to
inspect the property and vehicles in question, and prepare a report
describing the condition of the same.
[Amended 10-1-2018 ATM
by Art. 14]
E.
All permit decisions must be in writing, giving the reasons for approval
or disapproval.
A.
This chapter may be enforced by the Police Department, Building Commissioner,
or other designee of the Select Board.
[Amended 10-1-2018 ATM
by Art. 14]
B.
Each vehicle in violation shall be considered a separate violation.
C.
Noncriminal disposition. As an alternative to criminal prosecution or civil action, the Town may elect to utilize the noncriminal disposition procedure set forth in MGL C. 40, § 21D, which has been adopted by the Town in the Code of the Town of Groton, Chapter 1, § 1-4, Complaints, in which case the Select Board or authorized agent shall be the enforcing person.
[Amended 10-1-2018 ATM
by Art. 14]