As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AUTOMOBILE
Includes all motor vehicles except motorcycles.
BASIC TOWING SERVICE
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 incident 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 object within
the right-of-way or berm.
CRUISING
The operation of an unengaged tow truck along the public
streets in any fashion intended or calculated to solicit business.
EXTRA TOWING SERVICE
Includes recovery of a vehicle from a position either partially
or completely overturned; beyond the right-of-way or berm; where it
is impaled upon any other object within the right-of-way; and those
towing situations where there exists a spillage of vehicle contents
or cargo onto the travel portion of the roadway resulting in a protracted
cleanup operation utilizing additional manpower and/or specialized
equipment.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT (GVW)
The registration weight, the manufacturer's gross vehicle
weight rating or actual weight, whichever is greatest.
INSIDE STORAGE FACILITY
A vehicle storage facility that is completely indoors and
protected from the elements, having one or more openings in the walls
for removal of vehicles and that is secured by a locking device on
each opening.
NONPREFERENCE TOWING AND STORAGE SERVICES
Any request for towing and/or storage services initiated
by the Cranford Police Department, regardless of the ultimate place
to which the vehicle is towed and/or stored.
OUTSIDE SECURED STORAGE FACILITY
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 and has a passive alarm system or a similar on-site
security measure. The facility is to be lighted at night.
OUTSIDE UNSECURED STORAGE FACILITY
An automobile storage facility that is not indoors and is
not secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier, and includes
all other storage facilities not defined above.
OWNER
A person, firm, corporation or other entity which owns, leases
and/or operates, parks or abandons a vehicle on the roads and highways
within the Township of Cranford, which vehicle by reason of being
disabled or being unlawfully upon said roadway requires towing services.
POLICE
The Police Department of the Township of Cranford and/or
state police and/or county police or such other police as may have
jurisdiction upon the roadways on which the vehicle may be found in
the Township of Cranford.
STORAGE CHARGES FOR TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR PERIOD
The maximum allowable amount to be charged for automobile
storage by a licensed towing operator for a twenty-four-hour period
or fraction thereof. A new twenty-four-hour period begins at 12:01
a.m.
TOWING OPERATOR
A person, firm, corporation or other entity engaged in the
business of providing tow truck services and storage facilities for
vehicles towed, which services are made available to the general public
upon such rates, charges and fees as determined by the Township Committee
of the Township of Cranford, and which towing operator is licensed
under the provisions of this chapter.
TOW TRUCK
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 have been impounded or
are required to be towed or are unable to be operated under their
own power.