(A) The provisions of Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 50-9 to 50-13, Revision of 1958, as amended, are adopted and made applicable to lost goods within the town.
(B) Any person who finds and takes possession of any article of the value of $1 or more shall report the finding of such article to the Police Department of the town within 48 hours from the time of such finding. The finder of such article shall, at the time of reporting, furnish to the Police Department the date, time and place of finding, his or her name and address and a description of the article found and, within a period of one week from such finding, shall deliver such article to the Police Department.
(C) The Police Department shall, commencing within one week from the date of receipt of any lost article, advertise a general description of such article once a week for at least two successive weeks in a newspaper having a circulation in the town and shall retain custody of such article for six months from the date of receipt thereof, unless it is claimed by the rightful owner within such six-month period. The requirement of advertising may be omitted when the value or estimated value of the article is less than $2. Perishable or obnoxious property or articles of a dangerous or harmful nature may be sold or otherwise disposed of as soon as practicable on the best terms available.
(D) If the owner of any such article claims it within six months from the date of receipt by the Police Department, the article or the proceeds thereof shall be restored to him or her upon payment or deduction of all proper charges.
(E) If no owner claims such article within six months from the receipt thereof by the Police Department, the Police Department shall, within two weeks thereafter, notify the finder of such fact by registered or certified mail at his or her last-known address, and the article or the proceeds thereof shall be turned over to the finder, upon demand by him or her within 30 days from the expiration of the six-month period and upon payment or deduction of all proper charges; but, if such finder fails to demand such article or the proceeds thereof or refuses to pay such charges within 30 days from the expiration of the six-month period, such article or proceeds shall belong to the town. The requirement of notification may be omitted when the value or estimated value of the article is less than $5.
(F) The Police Department shall sell at public auction any articles which it acquires as provided herein after the expiration of time for the owner or finder to demand the same and after the time and place of such sale and a description of the articles to be sold have been advertised once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper having a circulation in the town. The net proceeds from such sales and the unclaimed net proceeds from the sales of perishable or obnoxious property or articles of a dangerous or harmful nature shall be paid to the Treasurer of the town, who shall deposit them in the Police Benefit Fund, if any, of the town.
(Ord. passed 8-3-1976) Penalty, see § 10.99
Editor’s note:
TM Volume 12, page 255