The Town Clerk has received complaints f rom
consumers who maintained that their vehicles had been legally parked
when boots were applied, that no signs had been posted indicating
that vehicles would be booted if they were improperly parked or that
the booting personnel were abusive and unresponsive. By far, the largest
portion of these complaints concerned the booting of motor vehicles
on private parking lots serving stores and other business establishments
where motorists were forced not only to pay high booting charges to
have their vehicles released, but also to pay charges for both the
booting and the subsequent towing of their vehicles. Since booting
is currently an unlicensed activity, the Town Clerk has been unable
to mediate any of these consumer complaints. This article would authorize
the Town Clerk to license private persons who boot motor vehicles,
and thereby hear and respond to complaints, and provide for sanctions
for any violation of this article and establish certain standards
for any violation of this article. It would also govern booting activities,
thereby helping to ensure that licensed companies do not wrongfully
boot motor vehicles or engage in booting in such a manner as to endanger
the public safety. The Board further finds that the licensing of towing
companies will protect the public from undue inconvenience and potential
damage to vehicles caused by booting.