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Middletown committee votes to align codes to curb detached trailers on streets
Summary
Middletown’s legislative committee approved a change to align two code sections so detached trailers are barred from public streets at all times rather than only overnight; the committee said the change aims to give clearer enforcement options. The item will go to the full council.
Middletown’s legislative committee voted to place a code-alignment change on the council agenda that removes conflicting time limits and makes it clearer that detached trailers may not remain on public streets.
The town’s chief explained the current situation: “Section 460, dash 6 indicates that there could be no detached trailers on the streets from 10 PM to 6 AM, but then under the current code of 445 dash 4, says no trailers detached trailers could be on the street at any time,” the chief said, describing the overlap between the two code sections. He told the committee that corporation counsel proposed making Section 460-6 coincide with 445-4 so the time restraints would be removed and enforcement would be consistent.
A committee member described a local example: a neighbor left a detached trailer with a license plate parked in front of a house for two days while moving; the chief said enforcement currently depends on complaints or whether an officer happens to see a violation. “They could have the luck of the draw that nobody sees them and nobody complains, or you could have the luck of the draw that someone does complain or the officer driving by sees it and takes appropriate action,” the chief said.
Members raised safety concerns for children who might climb into unattended trailers and asked whether registered camping trailers or trailers temporarily attached to vehicles would be affected. The chief said the code covers detached trailers broadly and that an attached vehicle generally makes parking lawful provided the parking location itself is legal.
After discussion, the presiding officer moved to put the code-alignment language on the floor and Mister Green seconded. The committee recorded a voice vote in favor and carried the motion; the clerk said the approved language will be placed on the next full council agenda for formal consideration.
The committee did not set a final effective date or describe enforcement penalties in detail; those specifics will be determined as the item moves through the full council process.
