(a) Required. After holding an unclaimed abandoned motor vehicle for thirty (30) days, the town shall sell or dispose of it as provided by this subsection.
(b) Vehicles worth less than one hundred dollars. If the vehicle appears to be worth less than one hundred dollars ($100.00), the town may dispose of the vehicle as a junked motor vehicle as provided by section 11-76
(c) Vehicles worth one hundred dollars or more.
(1) Generally. If the vehicle is worth one hundred dollars ($100.00) or more, it shall be sold at public auction. Twenty (20) days' written notice of the sale shall be given to the registered owner at his last known address, the holders of all liens of record against the vehicle and the state division of motor vehicles. Any person having an interest in the vehicle may redeem it at any time before the sale by paying all costs accrued to date.
(2) Disposition of proceeds. The proceeds of the sale shall be paid to the town finance officer, who shall pay to the appropriate officers or persons the cost of removal, storage, investigation, sale and liens in that order. The remainder of the proceeds of the sale shall be paid over to the registered owner of such vehicle or held by the town for sixty (60) days if the registered owner cannot be located with reasonable diligence. If the owner of such vehicle does not claim the remainder of the proceeds within sixty (60) days after the sale, the funds shall be deposited in the town's general fund, and the owner's rights therein shall be forever extinguished.
(Code 1977, § 16-61)