‘Junk’ ordinance may be amended in Belfield

Ashley Martin - The Dickinson Press

An amendment to a Belfield city ordinance, referred to unofficially as the “junk” ordinance, passed the first reading at the Belfield City Council meeting Tuesday.

The ordinance is an effort to keep Belfield properties free of clutter including junk and abandoned vehicles and auto parts.

The “junk” ordinance passed in July and the proposed amendment deals with the language of it. The ordinance currently would allow a licensed “junk dealer” to store accumulated vehicles, and the proposed amendment would delete this section of the ordinance.

“The idea is you’re not going to have licensed junk dealers,” said Bob Keogh, the council’s attorney. “There’s no provision that is present, anyway, for a license of a junk dealer.”

If the amendment is passed, the ordinance is to remain unchanged except the sections on “licensed junk dealers” will be removed.

Under the “junk” ordinance, any motor vehicle which is not licensed and sits idle for 30 days or a licensed vehicle which is inoperative for 180 days can be removed or a fine may be issued. If the police department removes the property it can impound and retain the property until the expenses of removal, storage and impounding is paid, along with any fines accumulated.

Further discussion on the amendment is expected to take place at future city council meetings.

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