[Added 10-25-1996]
In accordance with the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 22D,
the Town Council of the Town of East Longmeadow hereby enacts the
following regulations authorizing the removal to a convenient place
of vehicles parked or standing in such a manner or in such areas as
are hereinafter described on any way under the control of the Town
of East Longmeadow. Vehicles specifically exempt by MGL c. 40, § 22D
shall not, however, be subject to such removal.
The moving or towing of any vehicle under the provisions of
this article shall be by and at the direction of the Chief of Police
or such other officer(s) of the rank of sergeant or higher as the
Chief may from time to time designate.
[Amended 4-12-2022]
The Town Council hereby imposes upon the owner of any vehicle
moved or towed to a convenient place under the provisions of this
article towing and storage fees as established in accordance with
a schedule of tariffs designated in Appendix IX, which is specifically
incorporated in this section.
The contractor shall be liable to the owner for any damage arising
out of negligence caused to a vehicle in the course of removal and
storage.
No person shall stand or park or allow, permit or suffer any vehicle registered in that person's name to stand or park in any of the following places. Vehicles found in violation of the provisions of this section, except those specifically exempt by law, may be removed to a convenient place under the direction of an officer of the Police Department, and the owner of the vehicle so removed or towed away shall be liable to the cost of such removal and storage, if any, as set forth in § 580-10.3 of this article. The owner of any vehicle removed or towed away under the provision of this section shall also be subject to the penalties provided in MGL c. 90, § 20A 1/2.
A.
Upon any way during a Severe Weather Emergency Regulation in such
a manner as to impede the removal or plowing of snow or ice. The Superintendent
of Public Works or designee shall notify the Police Department of
such Severe Weather Emergency Regulation and such vehicles parked
on streets and ways that hinder the removal of snow and ice.
B.
Upon a sidewalk.
C.
Upon any crosswalk.
D.
Upon any way within 20 feet of an intersecting way except alleys.
E.
Upon a way within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
F.
On a roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or
curb of the way.
G.
In front of a public or private driveway.
H.
Upon any way where the parking of a vehicle will not leave a clear
and obstructed lane at least 10 feet wide for passing traffic.
[Amended 4-12-2022]
No person shall stand or park or allow, permit or suffer any
vehicle registered in that person's name to stand or park on any of
the ways or parts of ways in accordance with a schedule of streets
designated in Appendix V, hereto appended, to which reference is made
and which Appendix V is specifically incorporated in this section.[1] Vehicles found in violation of the provisions of this section, except those specifically exempt by law, may be removed to a convenient place under the direction of an officer of the Police Department and the owner of the vehicle so removed or towed away shall be liable for the cost of such removal and storage, if any, as set forth in § 580-10.3 of this article. The owner of any vehicle removed or towed away under the provisions of this section shall also be subject to the penalties provided in MGL c. 90, § 20A 1/2.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix V is included as an attachment to this chapter.
The provisions of § 580-10.6 shall be effective only during such time as a sufficient number of official traffic signs bearing the legend "TOW-AWAY ZONE" are installed, erected, maintained and located so as to be visible to approaching drivers, said signs to be appended above or incorporated into the legend of parking prohibition signs.
A.
The Police Department shall keep a record of all vehicles towed or
removed under the provisions of this article. Such record shall be
retained for one year and shall contain the following information:
B.
The Chief of Police shall, within 48 hours, notify the lawful owner
by mail, in writing, at the owner's address as recorded by the Registry
of Motor Vehicles, as to the location of the removed vehicle.
C.
If the owner of the removed vehicle is unknown, the Chief of Police
shall, within 48 hours, cause to be published in a newspaper of general
circulation in the Town, the description and registration number,
if any, of the removed vehicle and location of the storage facility.
If, after a reasonable time, the owner of the removed vehicle remains
unknown and reasonable effort has been made to locate the lawful owner,
said vehicle will be disposed of according to the Massachusetts General
Laws, to satisfy removal, storage and administrative charges. The
remaining balance of such disposal shall be put into the general fund
of the Town.
D.
Before any person shall be permitted to reclaim a vehicle removed
under this section, said person shall:
