[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
of the Village of Ridgefield Park 11-10-1998 by Ord. No. 98-11 (Ch.
189 of the 1985 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 197.
The following terms used in this chapter shall
be interpreted as follows:
A motor vehicle of a private passenger or station-wagon-type
that is owned or leased and is neither used as a public or livery
conveyance for passengers nor rented to others with a driver, and
a motor vehicle with a pickup body, or delivery sedan, a van, or a
panel truck or a camper-type vehicle used for recreational purposes
owned by an individual or by a husband and wife who are residents
of the same household, not customarily used in the occupation, profession
or business of the owner(s).
The removal and transportation of an automobile from a highway,
street or other public or private road, or a parking area, or from
a storage facility, and other services normally incidental thereto,
but does not include recovery of an automobile from a position beyond
the right-of-way or berm or from being impaled upon any other object
within the right-of-way or berm.
Any vehicle other than that as defined as an automobile pursuant
to the definition contained in this section.
A vehicle storage facility that is completely indoors having
one or more openings in the walls, for storage and removal of vehicles,
and that is secured by a locking device on each opening.
An occurrence in which any vehicle, commercial vehicle or
passenger vehicle comes in contact with any other object for which
any vehicle, commercial vehicle or passenger vehicle must be towed
or removed for placement in a storage facility. This includes all
situations which are accidental as to the owner or operator of the
motor vehicle even if they were caused by the intentional acts of
a perpetrator where the perpetrator was not the owner or operator
of the motor vehicle.
An automobile storage facility that is not indoors and is
secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier that is at least
six feet high. The facility is to be lighted at night.
An automobile storage facility that is not indoors and is
not secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier and all other
storage facilities not defined above as inside building or outside
secured.
The maximum allowable amount to be charged by a storage facility
for a twenty-four-hour period or fraction thereof.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
Only those vehicles equipped with a boom or booms, winches,
slings, tilt beds, wheel lifts or under-reach equipment specifically
designed by its manufacturer for the removal or transport of motor
vehicles.
The towing operator's principal place of business where the
tow vehicle is stationed when not in use.
A.
The Board of Commissioners shall appoint persons or companies meeting
the criteria set forth in this chapter and engaged in the business
of offering the services of a motor vehicle towing or wrecker service,
whereby damaged or disabled motor vehicles are towed or otherwise
removed from the place where they are damaged or disabled by use of
a tow vehicle, as defined in this chapter. Such persons or companies
shall be known as "official towers." An approved list of official
towers shall be maintained by the Village and shall consist of persons
or companies who meet the requirements of this chapter. If it becomes
necessary to add additional official towers to the approved list,
it may be done with the approval of the Chief of Police and the Board
of Commissioners.
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09]
B.
Official towers shall be identified by means of a
license that shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of
this chapter.
C.
Not less than 90 days prior to the beginning of each
three-year term of official towers' licenses, the Village shall advertise
for applications for towing licenses for providing towing services
pursuant to this chapter. The advertisement shall be published in
the official Village newspaper.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
D.
All applicants shall submit their applications at
least 60 days prior to the commencement date for each three-year period,
and the applications shall be reviewed in accordance with the procedures
set forth in this chapter. The award of a license to the successful
applicants shall be subject to compliance with the license requirements
of this chapter.
E.
Licenses shall be issued for a three-year period commencing on January
1 of the year in which they were issued and terminating three years
thereafter, or upon such earlier date that the official tower has
been determined to no longer meet the requirements of this chapter.
No applicant seeking to become an official tower shall be added to
the approved list prior to January 1 of the year following the year
in which an application has been received and approved by the Chief
of Police and the Board of Commissioners.
[Amended 10-27-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-11; 9-28-2010 by Ord. No.
2010-09]
F.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter that
provide for a three-year term of the license, official towers shall
submit, no later than December 1 of each year that the towing license
is in effect, a detailed certification certifying that the official
tower meets the requirements of this chapter in regard to the issuance
of licenses. The certification shall be submitted to the Chief of
Police for his review and approval. Failure to submit the certification
or failure to continue to abide by the requirements of this chapter
in regard to the issuance of a towing license shall subject the official
tower to revocation of the license in accordance with the procedures
contained herein.
A.
Official towers shall furnish adequate and proper
wrecking, towing, storage and emergency repair services to motor vehicles
damaged or disabled within the limits of the Village when requested
to do so by the Chief of Police or his authorized designee.
B.
No official tower shall subcontract any work to be performed pursuant
to this chapter without first obtaining prior written approval from
the Chief of Police. Any official tower to whom approval to subcontract
work has been given shall remain responsible for the services performed
by said subcontractor, be liable for any violations of this chapter
that may be committed, and shall only subcontract such work to another
official tower from the approved list.
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09]
A.
Applications for inclusion on the official towers'
list shall be made to the Village upon a form prepared by the Chief
of Police and approved by the Village Attorney and shall contain all
of the following information:
(1)
The name, residence and business address and telephone
number of the owner of the towing company. If the owner is a corporation,
the application shall contain the name, residence and business address
and telephone number of every stockholder owning more than 10% of
the issued stock and officers of the corporation.
(2)
Such information as may be required by the Board of
Commissioners concerning the personnel, vehicles, equipment and storage
facilities of such applicant, as hereinafter provided, showing that
the applicant meets the minimum standards of performance.
(3)
A certificate or certificates of insurance evidencing
adequate insurance coverage as hereinafter provided.
(4)
The names and addresses of two business references
who have known the applicant for at least two years.
(5)
Certification that the applicant will be able to provide
towing services anywhere in the Village with a maximum response time
of 15 minutes, except when extraordinary circumstances occur.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
(6)
Certification that the applicant will be available
for service or business 24 hours a day and that they will abide by
the fees contained in or referred to in this chapter.
(7)
Consent to certification that will consent to appointment
of the Village Clerk as the applicant's true and lawful attorney for
the purpose of acknowledging service out of any court of competent
jurisdiction to be served against the applicant.
(8)
A site plan showing the location of the storage area,
the number of cars that can be stored and the total square footage
area of the storage area. All storage areas shall be in a location
approved by the Zoning Officer of the Village.
(9)
Agreement to abide by the general rules and regulations
established by the Chief of Police in connection with towing procedures
within the Village.
B.
The applicant shall submit completed duplicate applications
to the Village Clerk, who shall forward a copy to the Chief of Police
for his review and approval.
(1)
A background check to determine if either the applicant
owner or the applicant's personnel have been convicted of a criminal
offense or have had their driver's licenses suspended or revoked within
the past year. Conviction of a criminal offense or suspension of a
driver's license within the past year may be a cause for disqualification
from inclusion on the official towers' list.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
(2)
An inspection of the personnel, vehicles, equipment
and storage area proposed to be utilized by the applicant to verify
the accuracy of the information contained in the application and to
determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the
standards of performance required by this chapter.
(3)
Driver'
s license checks for the applicant (owner) and all personnel shall
be conducted annually.
[Added 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
C.
An applicant may be included on the official towers'
list by the Board of Commissioners by resolution adopted at a regular
public meeting when, from a consideration of the application and from
such other information as may otherwise be obtained, they find that
all of the following circumstances exist:
(1)
The applicant has not knowingly and with intent to
deceive made any false, misleading or fraudulent statements of material
fact in the application or in any other document required pursuant
to this chapter.
(2)
The applicant has met the standards in this chapter
and has furnished the required hold harmless agreement and certificate(s)
of insurance.
(3)
The application has been reviewed and approved by
the Chief of Police.
(4)
Neither the applicant nor the applicant's personnel
have been convicted of a criminal offense or had their driver's license
suspended within the past year.
D.
The Chief of Police shall conduct his review and render
a report to the Board of Commissioners recommending either approval
or denial of the application within 21 days of receipt of the application
from the Village Clerk. The Board of Commissioners shall take action
with regard to the application within 14 days of receipt of the report
of the Chief of Police. The applicant or his representative shall
be given notice of the date on which the Board of Commissioners will
consider the application and shall be permitted to appear and be heard
at this time.
E.
Written notice of the approval or denial of the application
shall be provided to the applicant within seven days of the decision
of the Board of Commissioners.
F.
If the Board of Commissioners fails to take action
within 60 days of receipt of a complete application, the application
shall be deemed to have been denied.
A.
Upon approval of the application as herein provided
and payment of the required fees, the Village Clerk shall issue the
applicant an official tower's license for each tow vehicle or flatbed
vehicle to be utilized in providing services pursuant to this chapter.
B.
The licenses, which shall be in a form approved by
the Board of Commissioners, shall be displayed on the tow vehicle
or flatbed vehicle at all times.
C.
The licenses shall be valid for the three-year period as set forth
in this chapter, shall be nontransferable, and shall be subject to
revocation by the Board of Commissioners for any of the following
reasons:
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09]
(1)
If it is subsequently determined that the applicant knowingly and
with intent to deceive made false, misleading or fraudulent statements
of material fact in the application or in any other documents required
pursuant to this chapter.
(2)
Committing a violation of any federal or state law or municipal ordinance
or any regulation relating to the operation of a motor vehicle or
the provision of towing services.
(3)
Committing any violation of any rule or regulation promulgated by
the New Jersey Department of Insurance.
(4)
Committing any violation of any of the provisions of the New Jersey
Predatory Towing Prevention Act, Chapter 39, P.L. 2009, or N.J.A.C.
13:45A-31 (Private property and Non consensual towing rules).
(5)
Unsatisfactory service provided pursuant to this chapter.
To qualify for inclusion on the list of official
towers, applicants must meet the following minimum standards:
A.
Minimum vehicle requirements.
(1)
Every official tower shall maintain and have available to render
services required by this chapter a minimum of two regular tow vehicles,
one flatbed vehicle and one heavy-duty wrecker.
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09]
(2)
Vehicle classes.
(a)
Regular tow vehicles must be equipped with a
boom or winch assembly mounted on the chassis, a dolly assembly, a
tow sling or wheel lift assembly, and at least 100 feet of either
three-eighths-inch or seven-sixteenths-inch cable attached to a motor-driven
winch.
(b)
Flatbed vehicles must be equipped with a winch
or hydraulically operated bed which slides or tilts to accommodate
transporting of vehicles.
(3)
Every official tower shall have available a heavy-duty
wrecker, and under reach shall be rated at 35,000 pounds and shall
be capable of towing new-style buses and trucks with fiberglass front
ends.
(4)
All equipment shall comply with all state and federal
regulations, and all vehicle operators shall possess a CDL license
for over 26,000 pounds.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
(5)
Each applicant shall submit, along with his 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 tow vehicle or 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 vehicles, visible
from 360° when in use and visible at a minimum distance of 500
feet during daylight hours.
(b)
One snatch block per winch.
(c)
Safety tow lights or magnetic tow lights for
towing vehicles at night, amber colored.
(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, one two-pound or
larger fire extinguisher of dry chemical type, one dozen flares or
similar warning devices for placement at the scene of an accident
or behind a disabled vehicle, at least 10 pounds of dry sand or a
drying compound for gasoline and oil spilled onto the roadway and
a sufficient quantity and types of tools to enable the tow operator
to perform proper and adequate emergency repair service for the tow.
(2)
Every tow vehicle or 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. No changes may be made in said vehicles or equipment
unless prior written approval is obtained from the Village.
(3)
Every tow vehicle or flatbed vehicle shall display
the official tower's license and shall have the name of the official
tower displayed on the vehicle in such 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 required by this chapter shall meet
the following requirements and be subject to the following regulations.
They shall:
(1)
Be able to provide minimum road service for disabled
vehicles to include tire changes and jump starts.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
(2)
Have a valid driver's license having no restrictions
or conditional endorsements other than a condition requiring the wearing
of eyeglasses.
(3)
Be mentally alert and present a neat appearance at
all times.
(4)
Obey all traffic laws and regulations.
(5)
Be subject to inspection by the Chief of Police of
the Village and shall be approved by the Chief prior to rendering
any services pursuant to this chapter.
(6)
Not have been convicted of a crime nor had their driving
privileges suspended or revoked within the past year.
D.
Minimum storage requirements.
(1)
Every official tower shall maintain an inside building
or outside secured storage area meeting the following requirements:
(a)
The storage area shall be capable of storing
a minimum of 10 passenger vehicles and one tractor and trailer. The
area shall have at least 800 square feet of inside storage facilities
to hold and protect police hold vehicles.
(b)
The location of the storage area shall be within
the limits of the Village and in an area approved for towing by the
Zoning Officer of the Village of Ridgefield Park.
(c)
The 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 area shall be available 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year and shall be open to the public on weekdays during normal business
hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7:30 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m. The applicant is not required to be open to the public
on Sundays.
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09]
(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 during
normal business hours.
(h)
The official tower shall have available an area
to store vehicles involved in suspected crimes or criminal activities
as directed by the Chief of Police.
(2)
The applicant shall, with his application, submit
proof of ownership or lease of the storage area, if requested.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
(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 liable for any damage incurred
by such vehicles while in transit to or while stored in the storage
areas.
No license shall be issued for a tow truck unless
the tow truck business has storage facilities for towed vehicles within
the Village of Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, and on premises which
are zoned for this type of business. The licensee shall have an enclosed
storage yard or garage in which vehicles will be stored, and said
enclosure shall have a wall or fence of not less than six feet above
ground level. Land used for storage of vehicles must be in an area
zoned for such use. In addition, it must be in an area reasonably
accessible to the public so that stored automobiles may be claimed.
Visual on-site inspection of the land shall be made before the awarding
of a license by a representative of the Police Department and Building
Department. All of the land proposed to be utilized by the licensee
for storage must be level and clear of all debris and must be clearly
marked.
A.
An "abandoned vehicle" means any vehicle so designated
by an authorized representative of the Police Department. Removal
is to be performed under the direction and supervision of the Police
Department 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere within the
Village limits.
B.
All abandoned vehicles must be removed within 1/4 of an hour after
receiving notification from the Police Department. The licensee may
be penalized up to $100 per incident for each abandoned vehicle not
removed within 1/4 of an hour of being notified. Penalties provided
for in this chapter may be assessed by the Police Department in each
documented situation in which the licensee failed to respond for the
requested tow within 1/4 of an hour.
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09]
C.
The Village of Ridgefield Park shall retain the right
to tow abandoned vehicles to its own land to retain any moneys realized
from the sale of such vehicles.
A.
Official towers shall be placed on the official towers'
list at the beginning of each three-year period in accordance with
the procedures as set forth in this chapter. The official towers shall
rotate on the list for one week at a time or for such a period as
designated by the Chief of Police in accordance with his rulemaking
authority under this chapter. Unless otherwise changed by the Chief
of Police under his rulemaking authority, the one-week rotation shall
commence at 12:00 midnight Wednesday and terminate at 11:59 p.m. the
following Tuesday.
B.
The Village shall request wrecking, towing and storage services from
each official tower in rotation. When called, the tower shall advise
the dispatcher if a tow vehicle is available and the estimated time
of arrival. If no tow vehicle is available or if, in the discretion
of the Village official making the request, the response time is insufficient
under the circumstances to protect the public health, safety or welfare
or will unnecessarily delay the availability of police officers at
the scene of the tow, then the next official tower on the list shall
be called for that particular towing event. The official tower who
is at the top of the list, however, shall remain at the top of the
list for any subsequent calls until the tower's one-week period at
the top of the list is completed. The same shall be applied if the
notified tower does not respond in a timely manner.
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09]
C.
All requests for service shall be made by the Chief
of Police or his official designee.
D.
The Village shall request service only from official
towers; provided, however, that if no emergency or road hazard exists,
the Village shall request such service from such other person as the
owner of the motor vehicle in need of such services may request; and
provided further that, if none of the official towers are available
or able to provide such services as are requested by the Village or
if an emergency exists, the Village may request such services from
any other available source.
E.
During adverse weather conditions, heavy traffic conditions
or emergency conditions, official towers shall give priority to requests
from the Village over any other requests which may be received by
the official towers. The Village reserves the right to authorize additional
official towers during adverse weather conditions, heavy traffic conditions
or emergency conditions as needed.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
F.
If, after notification to respond, an official tower does not arrive
at the scene within 15 minutes, the next available official tower
shall be dispatched to respond, and the original tower will be notified
not to respond.
[Added 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09]
The applicant shall agree in writing to assume
the defense of and indemnify and hold harmless the Village, its elected
officials, boards, commissions, officers, employees and agents from
all suits, actions, damages or claims to which the Village may be
subjected of any kind and nature whatsoever resulting from, caused
by, arising out of or as a consequence of the provisions of towing,
wrecking, storage and/or emergency services provided at the request
of the Village pursuant to this chapter. Official towers shall enter
into a hold harmless agreement in a form to be prepared by the Village
Attorney prior to being included on the official towers' list.
A.
No persons shall be included on the official towers'
list unless and until such person has provided to the Village a certificate
or certificates of insurance evidencing that there is in effect the
following insurance coverages:
(1)
Automobile liability insurance in an amount not less
than $1,000,000 combined single limits.
(2)
Workers' compensation as required by law.
(3)
Garagekeepers' liability in an amount not less than $100,000 per
location.
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09]
(4)
Garage liability in an amount not less than $1,000,000
combined single limit.
(5)
Sufficient comprehensive general public liability
insurance to protect the Village from any liability, loss or damage
arising out of the activities to be conducted. Such insurance shall
be in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 for each person and $3,000,000
for each accident.
B.
Policies of insurance shall contain endorsements to
provide collision coverage for vehicles in tow.
C.
Policies of insurance shall be written by insurance
companies authorized to do business in the State of New Jersey. Insurance
companies shall be acceptable to the Village and shall have at least
a B+ rating by a recognized rating service.
D.
The Village of Ridgefield Park shall be named as an
additional insured on all policies of insurance provided pursuant
to this chapter. All certificates of insurance shall provide that
the policies may not be canceled, terminated or coverage decreased
without 30 days' written notice to the Village.
E.
Policies of insurance required by this chapter shall
be maintained in full force and effect at all times. In the event
that any coverage is canceled, terminated, interrupted or decreased
in amount, the tower shall be removed from the official towers' list
until such time as the required coverage is reinstated or replaced.
[Amended 9-28-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-09; 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
A.
Fees for towing and storage of all vehicles damaged in an accident,
disabled on the roadway or recovered after being stolen shall not
exceed those allowable by any and all New Jersey laws governing such
fees.
B.
Fees for towing and storage of all vehicles, other than those damaged
in an accident or recovered after being stolen, shall be the same
as those set forth in the Fee Schedule if the official tower is called
to the scene by the Police Department of the Village in accordance
with this chapter. Any other towing services to any vehicle not involved
in accidents or recovered after being stolen when requested privately
by individuals shall be at the rates as agreed to between the individual
and the tower.
(1)
Fee Schedule for towing services:
|
Road Service
| |
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.
|
$60 (includes up to 2 gallons of gas, jump-start and tire changes);
if tow results, there will be no charge for road service except for
cost of gas supplied
|
|
Medium-/heavy-duty trucks
|
$175 per hour plus parts
|
|
Towing, Basic
| |
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.
|
$125 (includes first 24 hours of storage)
$6 each additional mile outside of the Village
|
|
All municipal vehicles
|
$0
|
|
Tow fee for victims of crimes and investigations as determined
by the Police Department
|
$0
|
|
Vehicles impounded and held for seizure
|
$0 (if vehicle is subsequently released to owner they will be
charged the tow rate plus 3 days outside storage, storage rate will
continue if owner fails to retrieve vehicle during the first 3 days)
|
|
Medium duty 10,001 to 16,000 lbs.
|
$250 per hour
|
|
Heavy duty 16,001 lbs. and above
|
$500 per hour
|
|
On-hook mileage (medium/heavy duty)
|
$6 per loaded mile
|
|
Decoupling fee (if tow is not performed)
|
1/2 of basic rate
|
|
Show up fee (no hook up: follow tow rate once hook up is started)
|
$50
|
|
Additional tow vehicles
|
At normal tow rate
|
|
Recovery/Winching (in addition to towing)
| |
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.
|
$75
|
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.: off-road recovery
or uprighting of vehicle
|
$150 per hour
|
|
Medium duty 10,001 to 16,000 lbs.
|
$350 per hour
|
|
Heavy duty 16,001 lbs. and above
|
$600 per hour
|
|
Specialized Recovery Equipment
| |
|
Rotator/crane recovery unit
|
$1,200 per hour
|
|
Tractor with landoll trailer or detach trailer
|
$450 per hour
|
|
Tractor/transport hauler only
|
$250 per hour
|
|
Refrigerated trailer with tractor
|
$450 per hour
|
|
Box trailer with tractor
|
$400 per hour
|
|
Air cushion unit
|
$1,000 per hour
|
|
Light tower
|
$250 per hour
|
|
Pallet jack
|
$200 per hour
|
|
Rollers
|
$200 flat rate
|
|
Any other specialized equipment
|
$250 per hour
|
|
Loader/backhoc/telescopic handler/bulldozer/bobcat/forklift
|
$300 per hour each
|
|
Dump truck/dump trailer with tractor
|
$350 per hour
|
|
Roll-off with container
|
$350 per hour plus disposal
|
|
Recovery supervisor vehicle
|
$100 flat fee
|
|
Scene safety equipment, communication equipment, traffic management
equipment, etc.
|
$250 per hour each type used
|
|
Recovery support vehicle/trailer additional recovery equipment
|
$350 per hour
|
|
Labor
| |
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.; accident excessive
cleanup and disposal of debris
|
$75 flat fee (including first bag of speedy dry)
|
|
Speedy dry (2 or more bags)
|
$30 per bag
|
|
Extra personnel/manual laborers (on all towing operations)
|
$75 per hour per person
|
|
Recovery supervisor and/or Level III recovery specialist
|
$225 per hour
|
|
Certified towing operator
|
$125 per person
|
|
Storage (per 24-hour period)
| |
|
Passenger cars and trucks under 10,000 lbs.
|
$25 outside
$35 inside
|
|
Medium duty 10,001 to 16,000 lbs.
|
$45 outside
$90 inside
|
|
Heavy duty 16,001 lbs. and above:
| |
|
Tractor/dump truck/tractor and trailer
|
$125 per unit per day
|
|
Combo/trailer
| |
|
Buses
|
$150 per day
|
|
Roll-off
|
$125 per day
|
|
Cargo/accident debris/load storage/vehicle components 10 feet
by 20 feet space
|
$45 per space used per day
|
|
Rental of any tow company supplied trailer post-incident
|
$500 per day
|
|
Additional Services/Notes
| |
|
Fuel/hazmat/cargo spills cleanup and disposal
|
Time and material
|
|
Hazmat and trash recovery
|
Surcharged 10%
|
|
Subcontractor markup
|
10%
|
|
Administrative charge only after third visit to vehicle (passenger
cars and trucks only)
|
$50
|
|
Administrative charge only after third visit to vehicle (medium-/heavy-duty
trucks)
|
$200
|
|
After-hours release
|
$75
|
|
Notification documentation fee
|
$50
|
|
Tarping/wrapping vehicle (passenger cars and trucks under 10,000
lbs.)
|
$25 per side window
$40 per front and rear windows
$90 max per vehicle
|
|
Tarping/wrapping vehicle (passenger cars and trucks under 10,000
lbs.)
|
$250 per truck
|
|
NOTES:
|
|
All hourly billable rates will be charged in one-half-hour increments.
|
(2)
In the event that the maximum fees allowable are limited by any law
passed by the State of New Jersey, the aforesaid schedules shall be
amended accordingly.
(3)
Tow vehicles transporting multiple passenger cars at one time shall
receive the applicable fees for each vehicle transported.
C.
The fees set forth in the Fee Schedule for towing rates are the maximum
charges that shall apply to a private passenger cars and trucks for
basic towing services. There shall be no additional charges other
than those provided herein, including but not limited to flat-bedding,
waiting time, minor cleanup and additional labor, when only basic
towing services, as defined, are provided. The official towers, however,
shall be allowed to charge for services other than basic towing services
as defined in this section.
A.
Copies of this chapter and the schedule of fees that
may be charged by official towers shall be made available to the public
during normal business hours at the Village Municipal Building. Copies
shall also be made available to the public at each official tower's
place of business.
B.
All official towers shall post, in a prominent place
at each storage area clearly visible to the public, a schedule of
the fees that may be charged for all services provided pursuant to
this chapter.
C.
The Village reserves the right to make periodic unannounced
inspections of the personnel, vehicles, equipment and storage areas
of all official towers.
D.
The relationship between an official tower and the
Village is one of an independent contractor. Neither party shall be
construed in any manner whatsoever to be an employee of the other,
nor shall any employee or agent furnished by any party be construed
to be an employee or agent of the other party. Inclusion on the official
towers' list shall not be construed or considered as a joint venture,
partnership, association, contract of employment or profit-sharing
agreement.
E.
The municipality shall not be liable or responsible
for compensating the official towers for any of the services performed
under this chapter unless those services are performed for the Village
vehicles. Compensation shall be the responsibility of the owner of
the towed motor vehicle, and the official tower shall proceed directly
against the owner.
F.
The official tower shall, at all times, be solely
responsible for the conduct of its employees.
G.
Each official tower shall keep and maintain adequate
and complete records showing all vehicles towed, stored and released,
all services rendered and all fees charged and collected. All records
shall be available for inspection by the Village at any time during
normal business hours. Records shall be kept and maintained by the
official tower at one central location and shall be retained for a
period of seven years. Records may be written, printed or computerized
as long as the requirements of this subsection are met.
A.
In the event that a complaint is received by the Police
Department involving the improper or unsatisfactory performance of
services by an official tower, excessive charges or damage to a motor
vehicle while in custody of the tower and remains unresolved, written
notice of same shall be provided to the Village Clerk.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
B.
Within 21 days of receipt of the complaint, if no
response is received or the matter is not resolved, the matter shall
be presented by the Village Clerk to the Board of Commissioners.
[Amended 6-20-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-06]
C.
The Board of Commissioners shall consider the matter
at a regular public meeting and may request that the complainant and
the tower involved appear and give testimony regarding the complaint.
D.
If after considering the matter the Board of Commissioners shall determine that one of the causes for revocation of the official tower's license, as set forth in § 362-5C, exists, the license shall be revoked and the tower shall surrender same to the Village Clerk within one day.
E.
Failure to surrender the license upon revocation shall
constitute a violation of this chapter.
F.
Nothing contained herein shall prevent or limit the
right of any person to commence or maintain an action for damages
or any other relief directly against an official tower in a court
of competent jurisdiction.
