[Ord. No. 1991-9 § 1;
amended 4-18-2019 by Ord. No. 104-2019]
No commercial towing service may remove a disabled or abandoned
vehicle on the public roads or highways of Greenwich Township except
as provided by this chapter. A Wrecker Call Duty Rotation List is
hereby created which shall govern all commercial towing services or
wreckers. Before any towing service can be placed on the Greenwich
Township rotation list, approval must be granted by the Township Committee.
The rotation wrecker on call will be utilized at all times unless
it cannot perform a specialized function, then another service may
be called. The wreckers on rotation will be on call for a one-week
period beginning Sunday of each week at midnight and have the call
until the following Saturday at midnight.
[Ord. No. 1991-9 § 2;
amended 4-18-2019 by Ord. No. 104-2019]
Any person who wishes to become part of the Wrecker Call Duty
Rotation List shall apply to the Greenwich Township Police Department.
The Police Department shall, within 60 days of the submission of the
application, determine whether or not the applicant's equipment and
storage facilities are satisfactory. The Police Department shall,
within 60 days of the submission of an application, determine whether
or not the applicant and any tow operators have been convicted of
a crime, as the term is defined in the New Jersey Criminal Code, at
any time within five years of the date of said application. The findings
and recommendations of the Police Department shall be forwarded to
the Township Committee for their consideration in deciding whether
to approve or disapprove the application.
[Ord. No. 1991-9 § 3]
a.
The wrecker will be properly equipped and comply with the rules and
regulations of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. This includes
the amber light for use at accident scenes.
b.
The wrecker will carry a dolly wheel assembly for use when needed.
c.
The equipment carried shall include a broom and shovel or something
to pick up debris at the accident scene. Debris will be removed, not
swept aside. The Police Officer in charge of the accident scene shall
make a determination as to whether or not the scene has been properly
cleaned. Note: This is not to mean the wrecker operator is responsible
in cases of load spillage or similar incidents which are accident
related.
d.
Tools for disconnecting batteries (wrenches, pliers, cutters) to
eliminate the problem of a fire or explosion at the scene will be
carried, as well as a wrecking bar.
e.
Once the vehicle is removed from the accident scene, the person or
company storing same is liable. It shall be the responsibility of
the service towing same to secure said vehicle against theft of parts
and/or contents or further damage while stored pending claiming of
same by the owner or agent for same. A cyclone fenced-in storage area
will be provided for vehicles towed.
f.
The fee for the towing is to be paid by the vehicle owner or representative.
g.
The wrecker or wreckers and operators are to be available 24 hours
a day for accident and service calls during the time listed on the
call. This is to include holidays, weekends, etc.
h.
The towing service shall respond within 20 minutes of the call. Failure
of the towing service to respond on three consecutive calls due to
a refusal shall be sufficient reason to drop said towing service from
the schedule.
[Ord. No. 1991-9 § 4;
amended 4-18-2019 by Ord. No. 104-2019]
The fees charged by the vendor shall not exceed the prevailing
Garden State Towing Association (GSTA) posted rates for the calendar
year in which the service is provided. The rates posted on the GSTA
website shall be presumed fair and reasonable. A link to the GSTA
rates shall be posted on the NJSP web page (www.njsp.org).
[Ord. No. 1991-9 § 5]
No stored vehicle shall be released until permission is given
by the Greenwich Township Police Department.
[Ord. No. 1991-9 § 6]
Insurance coverage must be received in the amount of $1,000,000
for personal injury and $100,000 for property damage. The towing service
must supply a certificate of insurance before commencing operation
showing the coverage and listing the Township as an additional insured.
[Ord. No. 1991-9 § 7]
Any person who requests and becomes part of the "Wrecker Call
Duty Rotation List," shall agree to hold the Township harmless from
any and all actions instituted by third parties against the Township
as a result of the service provided. Said service provider shall indemnify
the Township for any and all costs incurred as a result of said third
party action including but not limited to reasonable attorney's fees.
[Ord. No. 1991-9 § 8]
Any towing service that violates any provision of this chapter
shall be subject to temporary or permanent removal from the list.
Prior to removal, the towing service shall be given written notice
of the alleged violations and an opportunity for a hearing before
the Township Committee.
[Ord. No. 1991-9 § 9]
Nothing in this chapter shall control the right of any person
to use the towing service of his choice.
[Ord. No. 1991-9 § 10; Ord. No. 2000-7]
Any person convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be subject to the penalties as stated in § 3-1.
