Sec. 74-36. - Towing of illegally parked vehicles.

(a)

The chief of police, or his representative, shall have the authority to cause an illegally parked vehicle to be towed away by a licensed towing service to the premises operated by such service if in his opinion the public safety or residents of the town is or will be jeopardized. The applicable fine and all costs of towing and storage must be paid by the owner or operator of such vehicle before such vehicle is released.

(b)

The owner of any motor vehicle which is towed away from a public highway, or who abandons any motor vehicle on any public highway, or private property other than his own in the town, shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred for such towing. The owner of such abandoned motor vehicle shall receive written notice of the towing expenses, and failure to pay such towing expenses within ten days of written notice shall be punished by a fine, upon conviction, not in excess of $500.00, or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, and/or 20 hours community service.

(Code 1986, § 19-31)