02/27/2025
Over the next few days the Town of Marengo is sending out Ordinance Violation Notices. The notices are primarily focused on Unsafe Structures and Abandoned Vehicles. In the Clarion i was quoted as saying that there are probably one hundred vehicles within the city limits that are abandoned. Well today i took a quick count and stopped at 109. vehicles that have expired or no tags and appear to be abandoned. Indiana Code 9-13-2-1 (2) & (7) defines Abandoned vehicle as the following: "(2) A vehicle left on public property without being moved for twenty-four (24) hours. (7) A vehicle that is at least three (3) model years old, is mechanically inoperable, and is left on private property continuously in a location visible from public property for more than twenty (20) days. For purposes of this subdivision, a vehicle covered by a tarpaulin or other plastic, vinyl, rubber, cloth, or textile covering is considered to be visible.
If you have a vehicle that is on your property with expired tags or no tags that you will most likely be getting a violation notice within the next week or two. This will give you plenty of time prior to the next town board meeting on March 17th. If you need the number for a wrecker service in or near Crawford County you may contact the town hall for a list of services that may remove vehicles for you.
The Marengo Ordinance 12-1-86-2 adopted 1st of December 1986:
It shall be unlawful for any person, organization, corporation or other entity to accumulate or to allow to accumulate trash, debris, junk, garbage, inoperable vehicles, salvage or any other refuse within 300 feet of their property lines which adjoin a public street, highway, alley, and any other public thoroughfare and within 200 feet of all other property lines, unless said debris is contained within a fully enclosed structure. Such accumulation is a serious hazard to the public health and safety and the general welfare of the community and is a public nuisance.
6.04.070 Fine(s) for violation. Any person, organization, corporation, or other entity that fails to cure its violation of Ordinance 12-1-86-2 and is found to still be in violation Ten (10) days after being served with a Removal Notice, shall be fined in an amount of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) per day, starting on the eleventh day after the Removal Notice has been served and continuing on until said violation is cured.
To read this chapter of the Marengo Ordinance in its entirety click on Chapter 6 of the following link. https://www.ind15rpc.org/wp-content/themes/region15/codes/marengo/
