[Adopted by the Board of Selectmen effective 4-4-1986 (§ 144 of the prior compilation)]
Any person who finds within the Town of Winchester and takes
possession of any article of the value of $1 or more shall report
the finding of such article to the Winchester Police Department within
48 hours from the time of such finding. The finder of such article
shall, at the time of reporting, furnish to the Police Department
the date, time and place of finding, his name and address and a description
of the article found, and within a period of one week from such finding
shall deliver such article to the Police Department. Any person who
violates or fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall
be fined not more than $100.
The Police Department shall, commencing within one week from
the date of receipt of any lost article, advertise a general description
of such article once a week for at least two successive weeks in a
newspaper having a circulation in the Town of Winchester and shall
retain custody of such article for six months from the date of receipt
thereof, unless it is claimed by the rightful owner within such six-month
period. The requirement of advertising may be omitted when the value
or estimated value of the article is less than $2. Perishable or obnoxious
property or articles of a dangerous or harmful nature may be sold
or otherwise disposed of as soon as practicable on the best terms
available.
If the owner of any such article claims it within six months
from the date of receipt by the Police Department, the article or
the proceeds thereof shall be restored to him upon payment or deduction
of all proper charges.
If no owner claims such article within six months from the receipt
thereof by the Police Department, the Police Department shall, within
two weeks thereafter, notify the finder of such fact by registered
or certified mail at his last known address, and the article or the
proceeds thereof shall be turned over to such finder, upon demand
by him within 30 days from the expiration of the six-month period
and upon payment or deduction of all proper charges; but if such finder
fails to demand such article or the proceeds thereof or refuses to
pay such charges within 30 days from the expiration of the six-month
period, such article or proceeds shall belong to the Town of Winchester.
The Police Chief of the Town of Winchester shall sell at public
auction any articles which the Police Department acquires as provided
herein after expiration of the time for the owner or finder to demand
the same and after the time and place of such sale and a description
of the articles to be sold have been advertised once a week for two
successive weeks in a newspaper having a circulation in such municipality.
The net proceeds from such sales and the unclaimed net proceeds from
the sales of perishable or obnoxious property or articles of a dangerous
or harmful nature shall be paid to the Town Treasurer, who shall deposit
them in the Police Benefit Fund, if any, of the Town of Winchester.