As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DRIVER
Any person who operates a taxicab within the Township, whether or not such person is also the owner thereof.
OPERATION OF A TAXICAB
Transporting in a taxicab one or more persons for hire. Accepting a passenger to be transported for hire from a point of departure within the Township to a destination within or without the Township shall be considered operation of a taxicab within the Township. The operation of a taxicab by one other than the owner shall be deemed operation by the owner as well as by the person actually driving the taxi. The transportation of any person other than the owner or driver in any motor vehicle bearing a sign using the words "taxi," "taxicab," "cab" or "hack" shall be prima facie evidence of operation.
OWNER
Any person, business entity, association or other legal entity in whose name title to any taxicab is registered with the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles or who appears in the Division's records to be a conditional vendee or lessee or has any other proprietary interest in a taxicab.
TAXICAB or TAXI or CAB
A motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire or compensation which does not operate over a fixed route and is not hired by the day or hour.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Howell.
No person shall operate a taxicab within the Township unless both the owner and the driver of the taxicab are licensed under this article.
A. 
Taxicab driver's license. The holder of a taxicab driver's license shall be entitled to operate within the Township any taxicab whose owner has been licensed under this article.
B. 
Taxicab owner's license. The holder of a taxicab owner's license shall be entitled to operate a taxicab owned or leased by the licensee within the Township, provided that the person driving the cab holds a valid taxicab driver's license.
A. 
The Township will make available on an annual basis a maximum of four taxicab owner's licenses, subject to the provisions of Subsection B below. Licenses shall be awarded on a first come, first served qualifying basis. Those licensees that have been previously licensed by the Township during the prior year and who remain in good standing and who have submitted their statement for renewal (per the provisions of Subsection I below) prior to January 1 shall be afforded the first opportunity for relicensing. All other applicants shall be afforded the opportunity to obtain a taxicab owner's license after January 1.
[Amended 3-21-2016 by Ord. No. O-16-06]
B. 
Should the Township determine to authorize the issuance of one or more new or additional taxicab owner's licenses beyond the maximum number referenced in Subsection A above, then such issuance shall be authorized by future ordinance of the governing body, in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) 
The disposition of new or additional licenses shall be made to the highest qualified bidder(s) at a sale by public auction for that purpose which is conducted or supervised by the Municipal Clerk in accordance with N.J.S.A. 48:16-2.3. The public auction shall be undertaken in accordance with the notice requirements set forth in N.J.S.A. 48:16-2.1.
(2) 
The ordinance adopted by the governing body for this purpose may prescribe certain requirements, including but not limited to qualifications for prospective bidders, a minimum bid amount, conditions of sale, and the reservation by the Township of the right to reject all bids where the highest bid is not accepted. The ordinance may also include a requirement for reimbursement of the Township by the successful bidder(s) for any costs incurred by the Township in complying with the public notice requirements set forth in N.J.S.A. 48:16-2.1. In such case, should more than one taxi license be issued at the same public auction, then the recipients thereof shall equally split the costs of reimbursing the Township for any expenses incurred by the Township in complying with the public notice requirements.
(3) 
Any license(s) sold through this process shall be subject to all of the requirements set forth in the authorizing ordinance, as well as all other Township requirements set forth herein, including the investigation specified in Subsection D below.
C. 
Application information.
(1) 
Application for a taxicab owner's license above shall be made to the Township Clerk on forms provided by her. Any changes to the information included in the application which occur during the licensing period shall be reported to the Township Clerk within three calendar days of the change.
(2) 
Applications shall be signed and verified by oath or affirmation by the applicant. Applications by a partnership shall give the information required for each partner and shall be signed and verified by all partners. Applications by a corporation shall give the information required for and be signed and verified by all officers and directors and all persons holding more than 10% of the corporation's common stock, as well as by a person duly authorized to act for the corporation itself.
(3) 
Insurance requirements. Applications received after the effective date of this chapter for new licenses or for renewal of existing licenses must be accompanied by proof of automobile liability insurance coverage which is in effect and issued by a company licensed and admitted to transact business in the State of New Jersey, and acceptable to the Township, indicating limits of liability in amounts not less than the following: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury or death and $50,000 per accident for property damage. Proof of insurance must also indicate that insurance coverage applies to all owned or leased vehicles of the applicant or must specify by description all of the vehicles to which the coverage applies. Said proof of insurance must also indicate that the Township will be notified with advance written notice of at least 30 days should the coverage be cancelled or nonrenewed prior to any cancellation or nonrenewal thereof, except that no less than 10 days' advance written notice shall be provided for nonpayment of premium. The insurance policy shall provide for the payment of any final judgment recovered by any person on account of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the vehicle(s) of the applicant, or any fault in respect thereto, and shall be for the benefit of every person suffering loss, damage or injury as aforesaid. The Township of Howell shall be named as an additional insured on any insurance policy submitted in accordance with the requirements of this article. If the taxicab owner's application for license applies to more than one vehicle, the taxicab owner may satisfy the insurance requirements specified herein through the submission of a blanket bond or insurance policy which meets the criteria specified in N.J.S.A. 48:16-4.
(4) 
Information about each taxicab vehicle to be operated under the taxicab owner's license shall be provided, including the following:
(a) 
Vehicle year, make, model and color of vehicle.
(b) 
Vehicle identification number.
(c) 
New Jersey State license plate number.
(d) 
Passenger capacity.
(e) 
Insurance company, policy number and expiration date.
(f) 
Name and address of vehicle owner if different than applicant.
(5) 
Any person who shall make a false statement in any license application or in any record or certificate that is required to be filed or maintained shall be subject to rejection of the application submitted and/or to appropriate disciplinary sanctions, including license suspension or revocation, in addition to any penalty provided under the New Jersey Criminal Code.
D. 
Investigation; grant or denial of license. The Howell Township Chief of Police or a police officer designated by him shall investigate all applications. A copy of the application shall also be provided to the Zoning Officer for review and for a determination that the proposed location of the taxi operation does not violate applicable zoning regulations. A report containing the results of the police investigation and evaluation, a recommendation by the Chief of Police or his designee that the license be granted or denied, and the reasons for such recommendation shall be forwarded to the Township Clerk and the Township Council. A report regarding the Zoning Officer's findings shall also be provided to the Police Chief or his designee, the Township Clerk and Township Council. The Township Clerk shall ensure that copies of these reports are also made available to the applicant. Based upon the findings set forth in the reports, the Police Chief or his designee shall determine whether to recommend that the license shall be granted or denied. Said determination shall be rendered in writing and shall be provided to the applicant.
E. 
Factors considered. In determining whether to grant or deny the license, the Police Chief or his designee shall take into consideration the following factors:
(1) 
The character, business and financial responsibility and experience of the applicant and the probability that, if granted a license, the applicant will operate his taxicab(s) in accordance with the provisions of this article.
(2) 
Any other factors directly related to the granting or denial of the license which would substantially affect the public safety or convenience.
F. 
Issuance of license. The Howell Township Council shall grant or deny the license at its next scheduled meeting based upon the recommendations submitted.
G. 
License term; fees.
(1) 
A taxicab owner's license shall be valid for the remainder of the calendar year for which it is issued, expiring on December 31st of said year.
(2) 
The license fee shall be set forth in Ch. 139, Fees, and shall be nonrefundable in the event that the application is denied. For licenses issued in 2012, the license fee shall be pro-rated. For licenses issued in 2013 and thereafter, all applicants shall be charged the full nonrefundable license fee amount.
H. 
In those cases where the license has been denied, the applicant shall be afforded the opportunity for a hearing before the Township Manager, Police Chief and the Township Attorney. Any request for a hearing must be made within 10 days of the applicant's receipt of written notice of denial. At the hearing, the applicant shall have the right to be represented by counsel and will be afforded the opportunity to testify himself or to present witnesses in support of his position, to cross-examine opposing witnesses and, at his own expense, to have a stenographic record made of the proceedings. Following the hearing, the determination shall be final.
I. 
Renewals. A taxicab owner's license shall be renewed by the Council upon the licensee's filing with the Clerk a sworn notarized statement certifying that there have been no changes in the information contained in the initial application and upon the completion of the investigation set forth in Subsection D above indicating results that are satisfactory to the Chief of Police or his designee and upon payment of the appropriate annual fee.
J. 
Any change(s) in the information contained within the owner's license application shall be reported to the Township Clerk within three business days thereof. A charge in the amount of $25 shall be levied for each day, after the three days, that any such changes are not reported to the Township.
A. 
Applications. Application for a taxicab driver's license shall be made annually to the Township Clerk upon forms provided by that office, and shall be forwarded to the Chief of Police or his designee, for investigation and approval processing, screening and determination. Applications shall be taken in the Clerk's office. Except as hereinafter provided, applicants shall have the following minimum qualifications:
(1) 
The applicant must be over 21 years of age.
(2) 
The applicant must be a United States citizen or a legal resident alien. A copy of the alien registration card or work permit must be submitted with the application.
(3) 
The applicant must possess a valid New Jersey driver's license.
(4) 
The applicant must supply a certification from a licensed physician, on a form to be provided by the Township Clerk, indicating that the applicant has been examined within the past 60 days and is in sound physical condition, has eyesight corrected to 20/20 vision and is not subject to any infirmity of body or mind which might render the applicant unfit for safe operation of a vehicle for hire.
(5) 
The applicant must certify that he/she is not addicted to the use of narcotics or intoxicating liquors.
(6) 
The applicant must be able to read, write and understand the English language and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records.
(7) 
Background checks and previous convictions.
(a) 
The applicants must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude, be fingerprinted and have a criminal history background check conducted by Morpho Track, Inc. All costs associated with administering and processing the background check(s) shall be paid by the applicant.[1] An applicant shall be disqualified from operating or driving a taxi within the Township, and shall not be issued a taxicab driver's license, if a criminal history record background check reveals a record of conviction of any of the following crimes as having been committed by the applicant in New Jersey or elsewhere, or a record of conviction of a crime in another jurisdiction in the world which, in that jurisdiction, is comparable to any of the following crimes:
[1] 
Aggravated assault;
[2] 
Arson;
[3] 
Burglary;
[4] 
Escape;
[5] 
Extortion;
[6] 
Homicide;
[7] 
Kidnapping
[8] 
Robbery;
[9] 
Aggravated sexual assault;
[10] 
Sexual assault;
[11] 
Endangering the welfare of a child pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4, whether or not armed with or having in his possession any weapon enumerated in Subsection r of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-1; or
[12] 
A crime pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3, 2C:39-4 or 2C:39-9, or other than a disorderly persons or petty disorderly persons offense for the unlawful use, possession or sale of a controlled dangerous substance as defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:35-2.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 139, Fees, Art. VIII, Fingerprint Charges.
(b) 
The above automatic disqualification shall not apply, however, to those applicants who were convicted of any of the above crimes prior to the effective date of this chapter and who had previously received the consent of the Township to operate a taxicab within the Township and who had a valid taxicab driver's license issued and in effect by the Township as of the effective date of P.L. 2011, c. 135.
(c) 
Additionally, if a person who has been convicted of one of the crimes listed above can produce a certificate of rehabilitation issued pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:168A-8 or, if the criminal offense occurred outside of New Jersey, an equivalent certificate from the jurisdiction where the criminal offense occurred, then the criminal offense shall not disqualify the applicant from operating or driving a taxicab within the Township.
(8) 
The applicant must not have been convicted, within the three years prior to the date of the application, of reckless driving, driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of an accident or driving more than 30 miles an hour above the speed limit, and the applicant must not have been convicted, within the five years prior to the date of the application, of driving while intoxicated.
(9) 
At the time of application, the applicant must have no more than six New Jersey State Division of Motor Vehicle points on his or her driving record, or the equivalent if licensed in any other state.
B. 
Investigation; grant or denial of license. The Chief of Police or a police officer designated by him shall investigate the application and shall report the results to the Clerk and the Council within a reasonable time. The report shall include a recommendation that the license be granted or denied and the reasons therefor. The Township Clerk shall ensure that a copy of the report is made available to the applicant. Based upon the findings set forth in the report, the Council shall determine whether to grant or deny the license.
C. 
Issuance of license; contents. Upon approval of the application by the Council at the next regularly scheduled meeting, the license shall be issued to the applicant. The license shall contain the licensee's name and address, physical description, signature and photograph.
D. 
Term of license; fees; renewal. An initial license to drive a taxicab shall be valid for the remainder of the calendar year in which it is issued, expiring on December 31 of said year. Licenses issued in 2012 shall be subject to a fee as set forth in Ch. 139, Fees, which shall be pro-rated. Such fee shall be nonrefundable in the event that the application is denied. Licenses issued in 2013 and thereafter shall be subject to a nonrefundable nonprorated fee as set forth in Ch. 139, Fees. A taxicab driver's license may be renewed annually thereafter, unless it has been revoked or suspended, upon the payment of a renewal fee as set forth in Ch. 139, Fees, and processing, screening and determination of the application in accordance with all of the procedures set forth above.
E. 
Use of license. Taxicab driver's licenses are valid for use with any licensed taxi within the Township of Howell.
F. 
In those cases where the Police Chief recommends denial of the license, the applicant shall be afforded the opportunity for a hearing before the Police Chief, Township Manager and Township Attorney. Any request for a hearing must be made within 10 days of the applicant's receipt of written notice of denial from the Police Chief. At the hearing, the applicant shall have the right to be represented by counsel and will be afforded the opportunity to testify himself or to present witnesses in support of his position, to cross-examine opposing witnesses and, at his own expense, to have a stenographic record made of the proceedings. Following the hearing, the determination shall be final.
G. 
Any change(s) in the information contained within the driver's license application shall be reported to the Township Clerk within three business days thereof. A charge in the amount of $25 shall be levied for each day after three days that any such changes are not reported to the Township.
A. 
The taxicab owner's license and driver's license (with photo) shall be displayed prominently in the interior of each cab. Rates of fares shall be posted in each taxicab.
B. 
The taxicab driver's license must also be conspicuously displayed on the driver's outer garment when the driver is on duty and presented for confirmation when requested by the passenger.
A. 
Licenses issued pursuant to this article are not transferable.
B. 
A driver shall immediately surrender his or her taxicab driver's license to the Township upon the suspension or revocation of his or her New Jersey driver's license.
A. 
In the case of an emergency, licenses may be temporarily suspended for not more than seven days by the Chief of Police.
B. 
In all other cases, licenses may be suspended or revoked, for cause, by the Township Council after reasonable notice and a hearing. At said hearing, the licensee shall have the right to be represented by counsel and will be afforded the opportunity to testify himself or to present witnesses in support of his position, to cross-examine opposing witnesses and, at his own expense, to have a stenographic record made of the proceedings. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Council will determine whether to suspend the license or to permanently revoke the license. Any license so suspended or revoked shall not be reissued except for good reasons shown. A license issued under this article may be revoked or suspended, by the Township Council, or any application for the issuance or renewal of a license denied, for any of the following reasons:
(1) 
Failure to render reasonable, prompt, safe and adequate taxicab service.
(2) 
The existence of a judgment unsatisfied of record against the licensee or applicant in any suit arising over the operation of a motor vehicle.
(3) 
Permitting any taxicab owned or driven by the licensee to become unsafe, unsanitary or dirty.
(4) 
Failure to comply with all applicable laws of the State of New Jersey, the ordinances of the Township or the rules and regulations adopted in accordance with this section.
(5) 
Where taxicab vehicles are found to be used for any improper, immoral or illegal business or purpose or for the violation of any federal or state statute or for the violation of any of the provisions of this article.
(6) 
Failure to maintain the proper amount of insurance on licensed taxicab vehicles pursuant to valid and effective insurance policies, as required by this article.
C. 
Drivers. If the licensee is a driver, his license may also be revoked or suspended by the Township Council for the following reasons:
(1) 
Revocation or suspension of his New Jersey motor vehicle operator's license.
(2) 
Contraction by the licensee of a communicable or contagious disease.
(3) 
Operating a taxicab in a reckless or grossly negligent manner or habitually operating a taxicab in a negligent manner.
(4) 
Conviction of one of the crimes listed in § 295-17A(7)(a) above, in New Jersey or elsewhere.
A. 
All complaints shall be submitted to the Township of Howell Police Department or the Township of Howell Code Enforcement Office.
B. 
Enforcement of this chapter is the responsibility of the Township of Howell Police Department or authorized persons designated by the Chief of Police and the Howell Township Code Enforcement Officer.
A. 
A Licenses issued pursuant to this article may be suspended or revoked in accordance with this chapter for the reasons set forth therein.
B. 
For other violations of this article, any person convicted thereof shall be subject to a minimum fine of $250 up to $2,000.