Record-Journal
08-08-2007, 10:41 PM
MERIDEN -- City officials say abandoned vehicles can be found on private property throughout Meriden, but the cost of towing them away is often too much for the property owner.
To encourage more owners to have abandoned cars removed, the City Council is considering lowering that cost.
The city removes abandoned vehicles upon request, but the property owner must pay $175.
The council increased the cost from $75 to $175 in 2004. It is now looking to revert back to the $75 fee because few property owners are using the program. A resolution has been submitted to the council.
Removing a vehicle from private property does not cost the city money. The fees paid by the property owner are deposited into the city’s General Fund.
“It’s just a method to clean the city up,” said Councilor Anthony D. Tomassetti, chairman of the council’s Public Safety Committee.
Councilors and Police Chief Jeffry Cossette say cars are abandoned throughout Meriden, but particularly in the more densely populated inner city. Former tenants often abandon vehicles on property near apartment complexes, leaving the landlords with the burden of removing them, Cossette said.
Many say the $175 towing fee is too steep, and as a result, abandoned vehicles remain on private property.
“We’ve got tons of abandoned vehicles in our yards,” said Councilor Patricia D. Lynes. “They become huge metal planters.”
The council resolution to reduce the fee was written at the request of Cossette, Tomassetti said. Cossette said he decided to suggest a decrease in cost after hearing comments from several people. Constant communication between city officials and the Police Department made the resolution a possibility, he said.
Lynes said reducing the fee for property owners would help. “It’s something I totally support,” she said.
Don Preece, co-owner of Preece’s Auto Inc. on North Broad Street, said Meriden awarded his business a two-year contract to tow abandoned vehicles on both public and private property in November 2006. Since then, Preece estimates, he has towed 172 cars, only about 15 of them from private property.
“I don’t bill the city a nickel,” Preece said.
The business benefits in another way, he said. If after 45 days the vehicles are not claimed, Preece sells them for scrap.
Recently discovering that Preece’s Auto does not charge the city for towing, Tomassetti said he might revisit his resolution. “If the city is not charged, why should we charge anyone?” he asked.
Before the council votes on a new towing fee for private property owners, Councilor Keith Gordon wants more details to be certain a change will not cost the city. He also said he wants to hear that change is needed and that a lower cost actually will encourage property owners to tow cars.
“I want to hear the facts and figures,” Gordon said.
Gordon said he might propose a trial period for the amended cost. If the city sees results by charging $75 after a few months, perhaps the council could make the lower rate permanent, he said.
The resolution has been referred to the council’s public safety and finance committees.
To encourage more owners to have abandoned cars removed, the City Council is considering lowering that cost.
The city removes abandoned vehicles upon request, but the property owner must pay $175.
The council increased the cost from $75 to $175 in 2004. It is now looking to revert back to the $75 fee because few property owners are using the program. A resolution has been submitted to the council.
Removing a vehicle from private property does not cost the city money. The fees paid by the property owner are deposited into the city’s General Fund.
“It’s just a method to clean the city up,” said Councilor Anthony D. Tomassetti, chairman of the council’s Public Safety Committee.
Councilors and Police Chief Jeffry Cossette say cars are abandoned throughout Meriden, but particularly in the more densely populated inner city. Former tenants often abandon vehicles on property near apartment complexes, leaving the landlords with the burden of removing them, Cossette said.
Many say the $175 towing fee is too steep, and as a result, abandoned vehicles remain on private property.
“We’ve got tons of abandoned vehicles in our yards,” said Councilor Patricia D. Lynes. “They become huge metal planters.”
The council resolution to reduce the fee was written at the request of Cossette, Tomassetti said. Cossette said he decided to suggest a decrease in cost after hearing comments from several people. Constant communication between city officials and the Police Department made the resolution a possibility, he said.
Lynes said reducing the fee for property owners would help. “It’s something I totally support,” she said.
Don Preece, co-owner of Preece’s Auto Inc. on North Broad Street, said Meriden awarded his business a two-year contract to tow abandoned vehicles on both public and private property in November 2006. Since then, Preece estimates, he has towed 172 cars, only about 15 of them from private property.
“I don’t bill the city a nickel,” Preece said.
The business benefits in another way, he said. If after 45 days the vehicles are not claimed, Preece sells them for scrap.
Recently discovering that Preece’s Auto does not charge the city for towing, Tomassetti said he might revisit his resolution. “If the city is not charged, why should we charge anyone?” he asked.
Before the council votes on a new towing fee for private property owners, Councilor Keith Gordon wants more details to be certain a change will not cost the city. He also said he wants to hear that change is needed and that a lower cost actually will encourage property owners to tow cars.
“I want to hear the facts and figures,” Gordon said.
Gordon said he might propose a trial period for the amended cost. If the city sees results by charging $75 after a few months, perhaps the council could make the lower rate permanent, he said.
The resolution has been referred to the council’s public safety and finance committees.