The Township Committee of the Township of Woolwich
shall appoint persons or companies (hereinafter "official towers")
which meet the criteria set forth in this chapter and engaged in the
business of offering the services of a motor vehicle towing or wrecker
service and the ability to store said motor vehicles on site, at the
rates contained within this chapter, and under the terms and conditions
as set forth below.
This chapter is intended to regulate and control
the towing and storage of passenger cars and small trucks, which would
include pickup trucks, vans and those trucks otherwise of such a size
and nature that they could be towed by the required equipment as set
forth within this chapter. In the event that a vehicle to be towed
is a large vehicle, such as a tractor and trailer or concrete delivery
truck, which is beyond the capabilities of the equipment described
within this chapter, then the police dispatcher is authorized to contact
any towing company having equipment capable to transport such a vehicle
that is larger than the vehicles to which this chapter is directed.
The official tower shall maintain and have available
to render services required by this chapter a minimum of one flatbed
vehicle.
A. Minimum vehicle requirements.
(1) Vehicle classes:
(a)
Flatbed vehicles must be equipped with a winch
or hydraulically operated bed which slides or tilts to accommodate
transporting of vehicles.
(b)
All equipment shall comply with all state and
federal regulations.
(2) Each applicant shall submit, along with its application,
proof of ownership or lease of the vehicles which will be utilized
to provide services pursuant to this chapter.
B. Minimum equipment requirements.
(1) Every flatbed vehicle shall be equipped with the following:
(a)
At least one amber rotating beacon or strobe
light mounted on the highest practical location of the vehicle.
(b)
One snatch block per winch.
(c)
Amber safety tow lights or magnetic tow lights
for towing vehicles at night.
(d)
Extra chains and cable for pulling or securing
a towed vehicle.
(e)
At least one heavy-duty broom, a shovel, a crowbar
or prybar, a set of jumper cables, a flashlight and one two-pound
or larger fire extinguisher of dry chemical type.
(2) Every flatbed vehicle shall comply with any and all
state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining
to safety, lighting and towing equipment requirements and shall be
subject to inspection by the Chief of Police or his designee at any
time.
(3) Every tow vehicle or flatbed vehicle shall display
the official towers license and shall have the name of the official
tower displayed on the vehicle in such a manner and of such lettering
as conforms to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 39:4-46.
C. Minimum personnel requirements. Official towers shall
have available at all times a minimum of two persons to provide the
services required by this chapter. All persons employed by official
towers to provide the services provided by this chapter shall be subject
to the following regulations:
(1) Have a valid driver's license having no restrictions
other than a condition requiring the wearing of eyeglasses.
(2) Be mentally alert and neat in appearance at all times.
(3) Obey all traffic laws and regulations.
D. Minimum storage requirements.
(1) Every official tower shall maintain an inside or outside
secured storage area meeting the following requirements:
(a)
The storage area shall be capable of storing
at least five passenger vehicles. The area shall have at least 500
square feet of storage area to hold and protect police hold vehicles.
(b)
The location of the storage area shall be either
within the limits of the Township or at such location outside of the
Township so as to facilitate reasonable towing distances.
(c)
Any outer storage area shall be fully enclosed
by a sturdy fence having a minimum height of six feet, with at least
one lockable gate for ingress and egress, and shall be lighted from
dusk to dawn.
(d)
The storage area shall be in an area legally
zoned for such use.
(e)
The storage facility shall be available 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year and shall be open to the public on weekdays
during normal business hours and for four hours on Saturdays. The
applicant is not required to be open on Sundays.
(f)
The official tower shall have an employee on
duty during all hours in which the storage facility is open.
(g)
The official tower shall not charge a release
fee or other charge for releasing vehicles to their owners after normal
business hours or on weekends.
(2) The applicant shall, with its application, submit
proof of ownership or lease of the storage area.
(3) The official tower shall be responsible for ensuring
the proper and safe storage of all vehicles towed pursuant to this
chapter. The official tower shall be responsible for any damage incurred
by such vehicles while in transit to or while still stored in the
storage areas.
The applicant shall agree, in writing, to assume
the defense of and indemnity and hold harmless the Township of Woolwich,
its elected officials, boards, commissions, officers, employees and
agents, from all suits, actions, damages or claims to which the Township
may be subjected of any kind and nature whatsoever resulting from,
caused by, arising out of or as a consequence of towing, wrecking,
storage and/or emergency services provided at the request of the Township
pursuant to this chapter. Official towers shall enter into a hold
harmless agreement in a form to be prepared by the Township Attorney
prior to being included on the official towers list.