It is the intention of these specifications
to describe the requirements for the towing by private towing firms
of abandoned, disabled, illegally parked vehicles, stolen vehicles,
vehicles involved in accidents within the Township of Hardyston, vehicles
suspected of involvement in crimes located within the Township of
Hardyston and other vehicles identified by the Hardyston Township
Police Department when requested by the Police Department of the Township
of Hardyston, New Jersey.
Towing companies shall agree to provide the
Township of Hardyston Chief of Police, or his or her designee, with
the following information prior to being considered for placement
and inclusion on a list of available towing companies to be selected
and used on a rotating basis:
A. Towing companies must provide to the Township of Hardyston
Police Department a detailed listing of the equipment to be utilized
during the term of any agreement for towing/wrecker services to be
executed between the Township of Hardyston and towing companies. The
listing shall include the following information: Type of vehicle(s),
storage location for vehicle(s) and whether vehicle(s) is owned or
leased. All leased and rented equipment must be permanently located
at the contractor's place of business or residence, provided that
such location is in conformity with state law, federal law and local
ordinances. Equipment to be used under this chapter which does not
meet these minimum standards shall not be used during the term of
an agreement. The towing companies will be solely responsible for
the safety, maintenance and operation of each piece of equipment utilized
or required during the term of an agreement.
B. Towing companies shall be required to operate towing
vehicles in compliance with all applicable state and federal statutes
and regulations and within the vehicle manufacturer's design specifications.
C. Towing companies shall carry on or within each vehicle
four one-gallon containers of Speedi-Dri or an acceptable substitute
for spreading on and around spilled antifreeze or other automobile
fluids at the scene to safeguard against slippery road conditions
for police and first aid vehicles, passing vehicles and similar vehicles.
The Speedi-Dri or an acceptable substitute shall later be dissipated
in accordance with hazardous waste disposal regulations by the towing
operator.
D. Towing companies shall be responsible for cleanup
of all broken glass and debris at the scene of accidents or when called
to a scene in accordance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-56.8.
E. To be prepared to carry out the requirements of Subsection
D above, each and every towing company vehicle will carry a broom, shovel and waste receptacle.
F. Towing companies must ensure that all of their employees
and authorized agents follow the instructions and/or orders of the
police officer from the Hardyston Township Police Department at towing
scenes.
[Amended 9-27-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-11]
A. The rates applicable for all towing companies contracted with the
Township of Hardyston shall not exceed the enumerated fees set by
the Garden State Towing Association's annual fees set for the
maximum New Jersey State Police towing rates. These tariffs are annually
recalculated based upon a random sampling of reasonable fees utilized
by commercial and municipal towers. The Hardyston Township Police
Department has determined that the average rate per category based
upon the Association's census is reasonable and is acceptable
for use by this agency. These rates are subject to change throughout
the year.
B. The rates applicable to towing services performed under the guidelines
of the State of New Jersey shall be posted in a conspicuous place,
at the towing companies' facilities.
C. Complaints of any kind relative to services, overcharging, theft
of parts, damage to towed or stored vehicles and the like shall be
referred to the Chief of Police for investigation.
(1) Such violations or any other violation of this chapter may be cause
for imposition of penalties by the Chief of Police, enumerated as
follows:
(b)
Suspension from five tow calls; and/or
(c)
Suspension for three months; and/or
(2) The penalty set forth in Chapter
1, Article II, of this Code shall not be applicable to violations determined by the Chief of Police under this section.
(3) Towing companies permanently revoked from the rotating list by the
Chief of Police may request a hearing before the Township Council
to appeal said revocation.
D. In such cases, an appeal may be filed with the Township Clerk within
10 business days of the imposition of the penalty. A hearing may be
held by the Hardyston Township Council within 30 days of the filing
of such an appeal. The Hardyston Township Council shall render its
determination within 30 days following the conclusion of the hearing.
The governing body's decision shall be final and conclusive.
In all dealings with the public in connection
with their agreements, representatives of the towing companies are
expected to act in a professional manner at all times and to be courteous
and respectful to members of the public. While members of the public,
especially those whose vehicles may have been towed or impounded,
may at times resort to strong language, threats or unbecoming behavior
that may be directed to the representatives of the towing companies,
such towing company representatives are expected to exercise restraint
and shall not respond in kind, thereby causing an unfavorable reflection
of their business. If such circumstances occur, the Township of Hardyston
Police Department should be contacted to keep the peace.
The owner of any vehicle towed shall have the
right to remove personal property belonging to him or her from the
stored vehicle (unless a "police hold" is marked on the towing form),
upon mutual agreement of the towing company and the owner of the vehicle.
Belongings removed after the vehicle is stored will be so noted on
towing/impound form (H.T.P.D. #15), with date, time and initials of
owner and tow company representative.