As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
JUNKED MOTOR VEHICLE
A motor vehicle not under cover, located on private property
for more than 30 cumulative days over any six-consecutive-month period or
located on public property for more than 24 consecutive hours that:
A.
Is unsafe for use on public highways;
B.
Is in a state of disrepair or disassembly; or
C.
Through neglect, accident, age or vandalism, is a blight on such property
or abutting properties.
MOTOR VEHICLE
Any vehicle propelled or drawn by any power other than muscular,
to include but not limited to automobiles, trucks, station wagons, tractors,
trailers, motorcycles, buses, mobile homes, campers, boats, aircraft or other
like vehicles in whole and/or in part, including the storage of the parts
thereof.
MOTOR VEHICLE PARTS
Any component, section or waste such as old iron, metal, glass, rubber
or other material that has been or is intended to be part of a motor vehicle.
STATE OF DISASSEMBLY
A motor vehicle that has been dismantled to accommodate repairs or
dismantled for the purpose of the sale and/or use of motor vehicle parts.
STATE OF DISREPAIR
A motor vehicle that has been rendered unsafe through neglect or
is a hazard to the public, or creates a blighting effect on the property or
surrounding properties.
UNDER COVER
Completely enclosed (not visible from any adjoining properties, public
or private) in a garage or other permanent structure serving the purpose of
a garage.
UNSAFE FOR USE ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS
A motor vehicle is deemed unsafe when the motor vehicle is in violation
of the State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles standards and regulations
for motor vehicle safety.
Junked motor vehicles are prohibited within the limits of the Town.
Anyone responsible for causing or permitting a junked motor vehicle to exist
on public property for more than 24 consecutive hours, or on private property
for a period longer than 30 cumulative days in any six-month period, shall
be subject to a fine of $150 per day for each day or part thereof. Each additional
day or part thereof shall constitute a new and separate offense, punishable
hereunder.
A bill for the cost of the removal and disposal shall be promptly sent
by the Town to the appropriate person. Where the full amount of costs due
the Town is not paid by the appropriate person within 30 days after the bill
for costs has been submitted, the Police Chief or Zoning Enforcement Officer
shall cause to be recorded in the Town Clerk's office a sworn statement showing
the cost and expense incurred for the removal and disposal of the vehicle.
The recordation of such sworn statement shall constitute a lien and privilege
on the property of said resident and shall remain in full force and effect
for the amount due in principal and interest, plus reasonable attorney's fees
and court costs, if any, for the collection, until final payment has been
made. Said costs and expenses shall be collected in the manner fixed by law
for the collection of taxes and shall be subject to a delinquent penalty of
18% in the event that the same is not paid in full on or before the date the
tax bill upon which said charges appears becomes delinquent. Sworn statements
recorded in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be prima facie evidence
that all legal formalities have been complied with and that the removal and
disposition has been done properly and satisfactorily, and shall be full notice
to every person concerned that the amount of the statement, plus interest,
constitutes a charge against the property designated or described in the statement
and that the same is due and collectible as provided by law.
When any junked motor vehicle is found, the Town shall give written
notice to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, which notice shall include the
location of the motor vehicle, the time the vehicle was first discovered and
such data and description of the vehicle which would be helpful to the Commissioner
in identifying the vehicle and the owner of the vehicle.
This chapter has been specifically designated for enforcement by citations issued by designated municipal officers or employees, and the citation hearing procedures established by Chapter
91 of the Farmington Town Code shall be followed.