As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CRUISING
The operation of an unengaged wrecker along the public streets
in any fashion intended, likely or calculated to solicit business.
OWNER
Person, firm or corporation who owns and/or operates a vehicle
on the roads and highways within the Township of Middletown, which
vehicle, by reason of being disabled or being unlawfully upon said
roads, requires towing services.
TOWING OPERATOR
A person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of
providing wrecker service and storage services for vehicles towed,
which services are made available to the general public upon rates,
charges and fees.
VEHICLE
Trucks, cars, motorcycles, minibikes, mopeds or power-driven
apparatus.
WRECKER
A vehicle driven by mechanical power and employed for the
purpose of towing, transporting, conveying or removing any and all
kinds of vehicles, or parts of vehicles, which are unable to be operated
under their own power, for which a service charge or fee is exacted.
[Amended 12-20-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-2805]
Licenses issued pursuant to this chapter shall be for a term
of one calendar year, January 1 to December 31.
The Township Administrator shall have the right to suspend or
revoke any license issued under this chapter for good cause upon written
complaint of the Chief of Police. Written notice of such complaint
and the basis of the complaint shall be given to the towing operator,
and said operator shall be entitled to a hearing before the Township
Administrator prior to final determination of the complaint.
Every person, firm, partnership or corporation found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this chapter may, in addition to the suspension or revocation of the license as provided for herein, be subject to the penalties provided in §
1-4 of this Code.
[Amended 8-4-1997 by Ord.
No. 97-2479]
The maximum rates fixed in Chapter
240, Fees, shall apply to the towing and storage of all passenger vehicles except those exempted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 17:33B-47 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 11:3-38.1 et seq. as well as to all non-passenger vehicles not exceeding three tons in weight. In the case of services rendered to other types of vehicles, or services of a nature beyond basic towing services as defined in Chapter
240, Fees, or services other than covered by basic rate, or services rendered in extraordinary cases involving unusual conditions, the rate to be charged shall be fair and reasonable based on the location, the length of time, the number of men and machinery involved and the difficulty of the job.