By Stefanie Jackson – Exmore, “Treasure of the Eastern Shore,” continues its efforts to rid the town of trash in all forms, including junk cars.
“We need to decide whether we want to have junk cars with stickers on them or not have junk cars,” Town Manager Robert Duer said at the March 2 town council meeting.
He was referring to outdated town ordinances that allow Exmore residents to keep junk cars on their property if they purchase $50 unlicensed motor vehicle decals.
But these ordinances, numbered 130, 135, and 162, conflict with ordinance 212, which was adopted in 2016.
That ordinance bans anyone from keeping an inoperative motor vehicle on his property, unless the motor vehicle is kept inside a fully enclosed building or structure, such as a garage.
An inoperative motor vehicle is defined as a vehicle that is not in operating condition, has been partially or totally disassembled for 60 days or longer, or has neither a valid license plate nor a valid inspection sticker.
Any property owner who violates the ordinance will receive a notice requiring the removal of the vehicle from the property by a specified date that is at least 30 days from the date the notice was issued.
If the inoperative motor vehicle is not removed, the town may remove and dispose the vehicle at the owner’s expense.
Prior to disposal, the owner may redeem the vehicle by paying the costs of the town removing and storing the vehicle.
A lien may be placed against the property from which the vehicle was removed until any fees are paid.
The town’s attorney recommended rescinding the older ordinances that conflict with ordinance 212.
Councilman Chase Sturgis made a motion to rescind ordinances 130, 135, and 162; it was seconded and passed unanimously.
Police Chief Angelo DiMartino said, “Spring’s coming … we got some staff back in here now, we’re ready to tighten up and try to get the town cleaned up.”
