The Police Department of the Township is hereby authorized to
remove and impound or to order the removal and impounding of any vehicle
parked on any of the streets, highways or public property in the Township
in violation of any provision of the law or of any ordinance of the
Township.
[Amended 4-4-2016 by Ord.
No. 1665; 12-4-2017 by Ord. No. 1684]
A list of garages and/or towing companies designated from time
to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Township
for the towing and storage of towed vehicles shall be maintained at
the Upper Moreland Township Police headquarters to be utilized when
a tow truck is needed in the Township. Any such designated garage
or towing company shall name an affiliated heavy-duty tow truck operator
capable of towing a vehicle weighing up to 80,000 pounds. A designated
garage or towing company shall ensure that both it and its affiliated
heavy-duty tow truck operator maintain the proper registration and
licensing of its vehicles to be used for the Township and both the
designated garage or towing company and its affiliated heavy-duty
tow truck operator shall agree to certify, at least annually, but
so often as is requested by the Township, that all such vehicles are
properly registered and licensed under applicable state, federal and
local laws, and that there are qualified tow truck drivers available
for services offered to the Township.
[Amended 4-4-2016 by Ord.
No. 1665]
A.
Any storage garage or towing company designated by the Board of Commissioners
shall furnish proof, no less often than annually, but as often as
requested, proof of insurance as follows: general liability, $1,000,000
each occurrence, $1,000,000 aggregate; garage keepers liability, $100,000
per vehicle, $300,000 aggregate; automobile liability, $1,000,000
combined single limit; and workers' compensation for its employees
as required by law; provided, however, that the affiliated heavy-duty
tow truck operator for each designated garage or towing company shall
furnish proof, no less often than annually, but as often as requested,
of insurance as follows: general liability, $2,000,000 each occurrence,
$2,000,000 aggregate; garage keepers liability, $200,000 per vehicle,
$600,000 aggregate; automobile liability, $2,000,000 combined single
limit; and workers' compensation for its employees as required by
law.
[Amended 12-4-2017 by Ord. No. 1684]
B.
Upper Moreland Township shall be listed as an additional insured.
[Amended 11-10-2014 by Ord. No. 1642; 12-4-2017 by Ord. No. 1684; 11-13-2023 by Ord. No. 1746]
A.
The following
fees shall be imposed by the Township.
(1)
Towing
fee for vehicles up to 10,000 pounds: $125.
(2)
Towing
fee for vehicles 10,001 to 26,000 pounds: $175.
(3)
Towing
fee vehicles greater than 26,001 pounds: $225.
(4)
Storage
fee: $50 per day.
(5)
Cleanup
fee: $45.
(6)
Special
circumstances: $125 per hour for unusual/complex towing situations
and circumstances.
B.
This section
relating to towing and storage charges shall not apply to vehicles
towed by a heavy- duty tow truck operator.
Within 12 hours from the time of removal of any vehicle under
authority granted by this article, notice of the fact that such vehicle
has been impounded shall be sent by the Chief of Police of the Township
to the owner of record for the vehicle. The notice shall designate
the place from which the vehicle was removed, the reason for its removal
and impounding, and the pound in which it is impounded.
A.
The payment of any towing and impounding charges authorized by this
article shall, unless such payment shall have been made "under protest,"
be final and conclusive, and shall constitute a waiver of any right
to recover the money so paid.
B.
In the event that any towing and impounding charges so imposed shall
be paid under protest, the offender shall be entitled to a hearing
before a magisterial district judge or court of record having jurisdiction;
in that case such defendant shall be proceeded against and shall receive
such notice as is provided in the Vehicle Code in other cases of summary
offenses and shall have the same rights as to appeal and waiver of
hearing.
The Chief of Police shall keep a record of all vehicles impounded
and shall be able at all reasonable times to furnish the owners or
the agents of the owners thereof with information as to the place
of storage of such vehicles.
The payment of towing and storage charges authorized by this
article shall not operate to relieve the owner or operator of any
vehicle from liability for any fine or penalty for violation of any
law or ordinance on account of which the vehicle was removed and impounded.
No vehicle shall be removed under the authority of this article
if, at the time of the intended removal thereof, the owner or person
for the time being in charge of such vehicle is present and expresses
a willingness, ability and intention to remove such vehicle immediately.
