Boat Trailer and Hours of Operation
BOAT TRAILERS, MOTOR VEHICLES, VESSELS PARKING & HOURS OF OPERATION
ORDINANCE RE: PARKING OF BOAT TRAILERS, MOTOR VEHICLES, VESSELS AND HOURS OF OPERATION AT TOWN OWNED BOAT LAUNCHES AND DOCKS
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE LEGAL VOTERS OF THE TOWN OF STONINGTON IN LAWFUL TOWN MEETING DULY ASSEMBLED THAT THE FOLLOWING ORDINANCE BE ESTABLISHED BY THE TOWN OF STONINGTON:
WHEREAS, the Town of Stonington (hereinafter “Town”) has an ordinance regarding the parking of boat trailers at Town owned boat launches (hereinafter “Existing Ordinance”); and
WHEREAS, the Existing Ordinance limits and controls the parking of boat trailers and motor vehicles, but does not limit and control the storing and mooring of vessels at and to Town owned boat launches and docks for an extended period of time; and
WHEREAS, the Town wishes to limit and control the storing and mooring of vessels at and to Town owned boat launches and docks; and
WHEREAS, General Statute §7-148(c)(6)(A)(i) authorizes the Town to control and operate public docks, wharves and recreation places; and
SECTION I. DEFINITIONS
Whenever in this ordinance the following terms are used they shall have the meaning respectively ascribed to them in this section.
A. VEHICLE - Any device suitable for the conveyance, drawing or other transportation of persons or property, whether operated on wheels, runners, cushion of air between it and the surface or by any other means, except those propelled or drawn by human power or those used exclusively upon tracks.
B. PARKED VEHICLE - Any vehicle in a stationary position within the limits of a public highway or municipal owned parking lot.
C. MUNICIPAL BOAT LAUNCH - An area under the control of the Town of Stonington, including docks, which is dedicated to and posted for the release of boats and other water related recreational apparatus into the water.
D. BOAT TRAILER - A vehicle designed to transport boats and other water related recreational apparatus.
E. VESSEL – Any boat, scow, lighter or floating vessel, whether or not said vessel is powered by manual means or by motor or other form of self-propulsion.
SECTION II. LIABILITY OF OWNER
Whenever, there occurs a violation of this ordinance, proof of registration number of any motor vehicle, boat trailer, or vessel involved shall be prima facie evidence, in any criminal action or in any action based on an infraction or parking ticket, that the owner was the operator of said motor vehicle, boat trailer or vessel except, in the case of a leased or rented motor vehicle, such proof shall be prima facie evidence that the Lessee was the operator thereof.
SECTION III. PROHIBITION OF PARKING OR STORING BOAT TRAILERS, MOTOR VEHICLES OR VESSELS AT DESIGNATED MUNICIPAL BOAT LAUNCHING AREAS AND DOCKS
Parking of boat trailers with or without motor vehicles shall be prohibited upon any town owned boat launching area(s) or any town road designate or marked prohibiting trailers. Parking facilities where such trailers and/or motor vehicles may be parked shall be designated at boat launching area(s) and docks.
SECTION IV. HOURS OF OPERATION OF TOWN OWNED BOAT LAUNCHES AND DOCKS
Town owned boat launches and docks will be open and access to said launches and docks available as posted. Any attempted use of said launch areas or docks outside the allowed access areas will constitute a violation of this ordinance, unless such use is for law enforcement or emergency operations.
SECTION V. ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
A. ENFORCEMENT - Any vehicle, boat trailer, or vessel found parked, moored, anchored or secured in violation of this ordinance may be removed, or conveyed by or under the direction of the member of the Police Department by means of towing the same or otherwise, to a private garage or other storage area. Such removal shall be at the risk of the owner. Before the owner or person in charge of such vehicle shall be permitted to remove the same from the custody of the garage or storage area where it was towed, he shall furnish evidence of his identity and ownership or right to possession and shall pay to the private garage towing and storage charges reasonably incurred in such removal.
B. PENALTIES - Any person who shall violate of fail to comply with any section of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of an infraction and fined per the current infraction schedule. Each day on which a violation shall continue, shall be deemed as a separate violation.
If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions of applications of any other part of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provisions of applications; and to this end, the provisions of this ordinance and the various applications thereof are declared to be severable.
That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed.
This ordinance shall become effective fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper having circulation in the Town of Stonington
Adopted August 13, 1990
Effective September 3, 1990
Amended September 4, 2008
Effective September 22, 2008