[HISTORY: Adopted by the Bloomfield Council 12-16-1963 as Ch. 17,
Art. IIA, of the 1962 Code (Ch. 252 of the 1987 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
A.
As used in this chapter, the terms "motor vehicle,"
"omnibus," "road tractor," "trailer," "truck," "truck tractor" and
"vehicle" shall have the meanings stated and as defined in N.J.S.A.
39:1-1 et seq.
B.
ABANDON
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
Includes any motor vehicle, omnibus, road tractor, trailer,
truck, truck tractor and vehicle which:
Is parked without the current year's registration
or identification markers as required by law.
Has been continuously parked in any of the places
mentioned in this chapter for a period of 48 hours.
Is so disabled as to constitute an obstruction
to traffic, and the driver or person owning or in charge thereof neglects
or refuses to move the same to a place where it will not obstruct
traffic.
Is found to be mechanically inoperative.
Is found without one or more tires.
It shall be unlawful for any person to abandon
a motor vehicle, omnibus, road tractor, trailer, truck, truck tractor
or vehicle on any public street or highway of the Township; on any
municipally owned or operated parking lot; on any property which is
owned, leased or maintained by the Township; on any property which
is owned, leased or maintained by the Board of Education of the Township;
or on any property which is owned, leased or maintained by the Board
of Recreation Commissioners of the Township.
A.
Whenever any member of the Police Department of the Township finds any motor vehicle, omnibus, road tractor, trailer, truck, truck tractor or vehicle abandoned on any public street or highway of the Township or on any public property described in § 540-2, such member of the Police Department shall move or secure its removal to such garage or place as may be designated by the Chief of Police of the Township as a garage or place for the impounding of such vehicles, and such vehicles shall be retained and impounded until the person owning the same shall first pay the reasonable costs of the removal and storage which may result from such removal before regaining possession of the vehicle.
B.
Whenever any vehicle is impounded as provided in this
chapter, the Chief of Police or some member of the Police Department
acting for the Chief shall, within five days from the date of impoundment,
notify the registered owner, in writing, by personal service or by
certified mail at the last-known address of the owner, of the removal
of such vehicle, the reason for its removal and the location of the
vehicle.
A.
Whenever any vehicle impounded by the Police Department
shall remain unclaimed for a period of 90 days, the vehicle shall
be sold under the direction of the Chief of Police at public auction
to the highest bidder.
B.
Such auction sale shall take place after notice of
such sale has been given at least seven days prior thereto by one
publication in a newspaper circulating in the Township and upon mailing
a copy of such notice to the owner of the vehicle by regular mail
at least seven days prior to the sale. The address of the owner as
shown on the records of the State Motor Vehicle Commission shall be
deemed sufficient for the purposes of this chapter.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
[Amended 11-2-1987; 5-5-2008 by Ord. No. 08-18]
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished as provided in § 1-15, General penalty, of this Code.