New Haven Independent

At the York lot Wednesday afternoon, a barking dog answered the office door at 322 Davenport Ave. By the windows sat the company owner, Frank Maselli, his feet resting on a desk.

“We’re taking care of it,” said Maselli of the outstanding tax bill. Records show the company owes $4,428.25 in real estate taxes and $446.69 in personal property tax, for a total of $4,894.94.

Maselli said the unpaid tax was due to a “clerical error.” The company got its tax bill and thought it said they only owed $50, when in fact they still owed the full $4,894.94, a member of his staff claimed.

Maselli’s father started the company 30 years ago. He said his company doesn’t tow cars for taxes — other towers do that. His company just has a contract to tow cars that have been ticketed by the police, including for street sweeping.

For each car that’s pulled off the street, towing companies earn a $77 towing fee. If the car remains in the lot for over 24 hours, car-owners are charged an additional $20 per day for the first five days of storage, then $24 per day after that.

The other eight city towing companies have paid their tax bills, according to city tax collector C.J. Cuticello.

Previous coverage of New Haven’s towing industry:

“We’re Not Double-Dipping”

Alvin Goes For The Chevy