The following words, terms and phrases, when
used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in
this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different
meaning:
PREMISES
Includes public or private property, Town streets and public
highways.
PUBLIC PROPERTY
Includes property owned by the Town or state, property acquired
by the Town at tax sales, and all streets and highways within the
Town, whether or not they are public highways.
An unregistered vehicle on premises not owned
or occupied by the owner of the vehicle may be deemed to be abandoned
for the purposes of this chapter.
No person shall deposit, store, keep or permit
to be deposited, stored or kept in the open upon public or private
property a dismantled, unserviceable, junked or abandoned vehicle,
or one legally or physically incapable of being operated, unless a
license for such storage has theretofore been obtained from the proper
authority.
Upon failure to remove any vehicle within the
time limits provided in this chapter, the owner, lessee, occupant
of the premises or the Police Department shall forthwith remove or
cause the vehicle to be removed from the premises to a location to
be provided for the purpose by the Town.
The owner of any vehicle removed as provided
in this chapter may regain possession thereof from the Town by making
application therefor within two months after its receipt by the Town
upon payment to the Town of all reasonable costs of removal, which
shall be repaid to the person who paid or incurred such charges, plus
an additional charge for storage charges of the vehicle while in possession
of the Town.
If no claim for a vehicle removed as provided
in this chapter is made within two months after receipt thereof, the
Town may sell the vehicle for the best price obtainable as junk or
otherwise, and the proceeds thereof shall be available to pay the
reasonable charges of delivering the vehicle to the Town if a claim
therefor be made by the person who paid the charges, and the expense
of keeping and disposing of the vehicle, and any balance shall be
paid into the general fund.
Neither the owner, lessee or occupant of the
premises from which any vehicle described in this chapter shall be
removed, his servant or agent, or the Town shall be liable for any
loss or damage to such vehicle while being removed, or while in the
possession of the Town, or as a result of any subsequent sale or other
disposition.