2009 Maine Code
TITLE 30-A: MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES (HEADING: PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, @2 (new))
Chapter 183: ECONOMIC REGULATION
30-A §3758-A. Violations

Title 30-A: MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 737, PT. A, §2 (NEW)

Part 2: MUNICIPALITIES HEADING: PL 1987, C. 737, PT. A, §2 (NEW)

Subpart 6: REGULATION, LICENSES AND PERMITS HEADING: PL 1987, C. 737, PT. A, §2 (NEW)

Chapter 183: ECONOMIC REGULATION HEADING: PL 1987, C. 737, PT. A, §2 (NEW)

Subchapter 1: JUNKYARDS AND AUTOMOBILE GRAVEYARDS HEADING: PL 1991, C. 548, PT. B, §4 (RPR)

§3758-A. Violations

1. Enforcement. All state, county and local law enforcement officers shall enforce the provisions of this subchapter.

[ 2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW) .]

2. Municipal authority. Municipal officers or their designees may enforce the provisions of this subchapter pursuant to:

A. The enforcement of land use laws and ordinances under section 4452; [2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW).]

B. The litter control provisions of Title 17, chapter 80; or [2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW).]

C. The abatement of nuisance provisions of Title 17, chapter 91. [2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW).]

[ 2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW) .]

3. Penalties. Violations of this subchapter are subject to the penalty provisions of section 4452; Title 17, sections 2264-A and 2264-B; or Title 17, chapter 91. Each day that the violation continues constitutes a separate offense.

[ 2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW) .]

4. Abatement. If the municipality is the prevailing party in an action taken pursuant to the provisions of this Title or Title 17 as outlined in subsection 2 and the violator does not complete any ordered correction or abatement in accordance with the ordered schedule, the municipal officers or designated agent may enter the property and may act to abate the site in compliance with the order. To recover any actual and direct expenses incurred by the municipality in the abatement of the nuisance, the municipality may:

A. File a civil action against the owner to recover the cost of abatement, including the expense of court costs and reasonable attorney's fees necessary to file and conduct the action; [2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW).]

B. File a lien on real estate where the junkyard, automobile graveyard or automobile recycling business is located; or [2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW).]

C. Assess a special tax on real estate where the junkyard, automobile graveyard or automobile recycling business is located. This amount must be included in the next annual warrant to the tax collector of the municipality, for collection in the same manner as other state, county and municipal taxes are collected. Interest as determined by the municipality pursuant to Title 36, section 505 in the year in which the special tax is assessed accrues on all unpaid balances of the special tax beginning on the 60th day after the day of commitment of the special tax to the collector. The interest must be added to and becomes a part of the tax. [2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW).]

[ 2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW) .]

5. Revocation or suspension of permit. Violation of any condition, restriction or limitation inserted in a permit by the municipal officers or county commissioners is cause for revocation or suspension of the permit by the same authority that issued the permit. A permit may not be revoked or suspended without a hearing and notice to the owner or the operator of the automobile graveyard, automobile recycling business or junkyard. Notice of hearing must be sent to the owner or operator by registered mail at least 7 but not more than 14 days before the hearing. The notice must state the time and the place of hearing and contain a statement describing the alleged violation of any conditions, restrictions or limitations inserted in the permit.

The municipal officers or county commissioners shall provide written or electronic notice of the hearing to the automobile dealer licensing section of the Department of the Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles at least 7 days before the hearing.

[ 2005, c. 424, §8 (AMD) .]

6. Removal of all materials after permit denial or revocation. The owner or operator of a junkyard, automobile graveyard or automobile recycling business for which a permit has been denied or revoked shall, not later than 90 days after all appeals have been denied, begin the removal of all vehicles, vehicle parts and materials associated with the operation of that junkyard, automobile graveyard or automobile recycling business. The property must be free of all scrapped or junked vehicles and materials not later than 180 days after denial of all appeals. An alternative schedule for removal of junk or vehicles may be employed if specifically approved by the municipal officers or county commissioners.

[ 2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW) .]

SECTION HISTORY

2003, c. 312, §14 (NEW). 2005, c. 424, §8 (AMD).