By the adoption of this chapter, the Board of Trustees of the
Village of Canajoharie declares its intent in so doing to be to regulate,
control and license the activities or businesses known as "auto graveyards,"
junkyards, secondhand-parts collection areas, the processing of used
metals for resale and the dumping, storage and disposal of waste,
secondhand or used materials of whatever composition. Said Board of
Trustees hereby declares that such activities or businesses can constitute
a hazard to property and persons and a public nuisance. Such materials
may be highly flammable and sometimes explosive. Gasoline tanks on
old autos often contain in some quantity combustible gasoline; the
engine and other parts of such autos are frequently covered with grease
and oil which is also flammable. The tires, plastic seats, tops and
other elements of such autos are also flammable. Batteries and other
elements of such autos can contain acids and other matter potentially
harmful to humans. These autos frequently contain sharp metal or glass
edges or points upon which a human could receive serious cuts and
abrasions. These autos can constitute attractive nuisances to children
and certain adults. The presence of such junkyards even in areas zoned
for business or industry in unsightly and tends to detract from value
of surrounding land and property unless areas are properly maintained
and operated.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AUTOS
Passenger autos, trucks, tractor-trucks, trailers, buses,
motorcycles, or other vehicles, however propelled, as well as tractors,
bulldozers, machinery and equipment.
PERSON
An individual, an association, a partnership or a corporation.
No person shall engage in or conduct on real property within
the Village of Canajoharie, New York, either for himself or for and
on behalf of any other person directly or indirectly as agent, employee
or otherwise, any activity or business either for profit or otherwise,
at wholesale or retail, which involves the collection, storage, burning,
dumping, disassembly, dismantling, salvaging, sorting or otherwise
handling or arranging for sale, resale, storage or disposal or otherwise
of bodies, engines or parts of autos or of any other secondhand or
used property of whatever material it is composed or any waste material,
whether composed of wood, paper, cloth, cardboard, plastics, metals,
stone, cement or otherwise, without first obtaining a license therefor
as hereinafter provided.