As used in this chapter, terms shall be defined as follows.
BASIC TOWING SERVICE
The removal and transportation of a vehicle from a highway,
street or other public or private road or a parking area or from a
storage facility, and other services normally related thereto, but
does not include the recovery of an automobile from a position beyond
the right-of-way or berm or from being impaled upon any other object
within the right-of-way or berm.
OFF-ROAD RECOVERY
The removal of a vehicle from a position beyond the right-of-way
or berm of any roadway, but does not include any area where the recovered
vehicle, if operable, could be driven from without the assistance
of special equipment or others.
TOWING OPERATOR
A person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of
providing wrecker services and storage services for vehicles towed,
which services are made available to the general public upon such
rates, charges and fees as determined by said person, firm or corporation
and who is licensed under the provisions of this chapter.
WINCHING
Any operation in which a vehicle is moved onto a roadway,
from a position substantially off the roadway, or any operation in
which substantial work is required to prepare a vehicle for normal
towing.
WRECKER
A vehicle driven by mechanical power and employed for the
purposed 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.
Towing operator granted as an authorized tower of Stafford Township
must meet or exceed the following standards.
A. Heavy-duty fleet requirements (if applicable). Towers having heavy-duty
trucks in their fleet, the requirements will follow:
(1) Boom capacity of no less than 16 tons, which meet the following criteria.
(2) Thirty-three thousand pounds GVWR minimum commercially manufactured
hydraulic wrecker and chassis, with underreach capabilities.
(3) Compliance with state and federal DOT requirements governing commercial
motor vehicles.
(5) Air transfer system to control brakes of towed vehicles.
(6) Vehicle manufacturer serial plate legible and visible for inspection
on undercarriage and chassis boom or certified by manufacturer's
rating paperwork.
(7) Two safety chains, two inches by 10 feet, with a minimum of Grade
8 alloy.
(8) Axle lifts, safety straps or equivalent retention device.
(9) Amber emergency lights with proper light permit from the State of
New Jersey.
(10)
Two flood- or work lights to the rear of the wrecker.
(11)
Two light bar or magnetic tow lights.
(12)
Two-way radio or cellular phone.
(13)
Assortment of wood blocks and boards.
(16)
T-bolts/maxi release pins.
(20)
Road flares, triangles or road cones.
(21)
Two twelve-ton snatch blocks per winch.
B. Wrecker. At least one four-ton-or-larger-boom-capacity wrecker with
boom and drum capable of being operated from inside or outside the
wrecker, having a minimum rating of four tons; drums to have a minimum
of 100 feet of cable at least 3/8 inch in diameter with a recommended
working limit of a minimum of 7,000 pounds; recommended gross vehicle
weight of truck or chassis of 10,000 pounds or greater; and dual rear
wheels maintained and equipped at least in accordance with manufacturer's
specifications; equipped with emergency warning lights with permit.
C. Safety equipment to be carried on tow trucks shall include the following:
(1) One universal towing sling.
(2) Five gallons of Speedy Dry or equivalent absorbent material.
(5) One snatch block for three-eighths to one-half-inch cable.
(6) Two high-test safety chains.
(7) Auxiliary safety light kit to place on rear of towed vehicle.
(8) Tool box with assortment of hand tools and emergency pry bars.
(11)
Steering wheel lock or tie down.
(14)
Flat beds: at least one flatbed or car carrier with at least
a one-car capacity with emergency warning lights with permit.
(15)
Safety equipment to be carried on tow trucks on call shall include
the following:
(c)
One snatch block for three-eighths to one-half-inch cable.
(d)
Two high-test safety chains.
(e)
Auxiliary safety light kit to place on rear of towed vehicle.
(f)
Tool box with assortment of hand tools and emergency pry bars.
D. Required vehicle operating licenses.
(1) All drivers must have a valid New Jersey driver's license to
operate the vehicles and equipment required hereunder.
(2) Each heavy-duty driver must possess a commercial driver's license
(CDL) and must comply also with 49 CFR 391.51. Additionally, each
heavy-duty driver must have a valid New Jersey medical certificate.
(3) The nationally recognized organizations that are acceptable for the
Stafford Police Department are:
(a)
WreckMaster: Level 2/3 certification must be obtained by all
drivers to ensure all employees towing for Township of Stafford have
the proper training and knowledge to perform a level of service.
(b)
WreckMaster: Level 4/5 certification must be obtained in order
to tow heavy-duty vehicles which will be examined by the New Jersey
State Police Commercial Vehicle Inspection Unit based off of an investigation.
(c)
Towing and Recovery Association of America: Level 1 certification
must be obtained by all employees towing for the Township of Stafford
to have the proper training and knowledge to perform a level of service.
(d)
Towing and Recovery Association of America: Level 2 Medium/Heavy-Duty
certification must be obtained in order to tow heavy-duty vehicles
which will be examined by the New Jersey State Police Commercial Vehicle
Inspection Unit based off of an investigation.
(4) All certificates will be verified and maintained at the Stafford
Police Department annually.
Every operator of a towing service shall give the owner a written
itemized bill for the towing cost and a written receipt when paid.
A schedule of the towing regulations and fees shall be posted for
viewing by the public at each towing business on the police duty list
and in the Traffic Safety Office in the Police Department. Towing
charges and fees shall be as follows:
A. Towing;
(1) Class 1 vehicle, GVWR 6,000 pounds or under: $175.
(2) Class 2 vehicle, GVWR 6,001 to 10,000 pounds: $200.
(3) Class 3 vehicle, GVWR 10,001 to 15,000 pounds: $225.
(4) Class 4 vehicle, GVWR 15,001 pounds and up: $350 per hour based upon
portal to portal. Detailed breakdown of hours must be provided.
B. Off-road recovery/winching, as defined in this chapter, to be billed
in thirty-minute increments:
C. Storage:
(1) Class 1 vehicles:
(b)
Inside - by request of Police Department or vehicle owner: $45
per day.
(2) Class 2 vehicles:
(b)
Inside - by request of Police Department or vehicle owner: $55
per day.
(3) Class 3 and 4 vehicles: $100 per day.
D. Miscellaneous.
(1) Debris cleanup is mandatory and included within the initial hookup
fee. If debris is excessive and requires more than 20 minutes to remove,
a one-time fee of $50 is permitted.
(2) Protection of vehicles in storage from further damage due to weather
(broken windows, doors, hoods, trunk missing or damage, which allow
weather intrusion):
(a)
Window wrap, if needed: $25.
(b)
Tarp vehicle, if needed: $50.
(3) Standby/wait time on scene: $75 per hour billed in fifteen-minute
increments after 15 minutes on scene has elapsed. Tow operators must
notify an officer on the scene upon their arrival and departure.
E. Additional personnel/truck on scene to assist: $100 per hour per
truck, billed in thirty-minute increments once vehicle is on scene.
Billed on a case-by-case basis, must be supported by documentation
and reviewed by the Traffic Safety Officer and his/her decision will
be final.
F. Holiday rates: 1 1/2 times the regular towing rate for towing
on the following holidays.
New Year's Day
|
Easter Sunday
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Memorial Day
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Independence Day
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Labor Day
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Thanksgiving Day
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Christmas Day
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G. The tow operators shall not charge any fee not defined in this section
unless previously authorized by the owner of the vehicle being towed/recovered.
H. Tow operators shall provide a specific itemized list of services
to the Traffic Safety Unit within three days of the date of service.
Reports can be facsimile, physical copy or electronic mail.
The Chief of Police or his designee shall have the power to
suspend a towing operator from the rotational duty service list for
a period of up to 30 calendar days for failure to comply with any
section of this chapter. A subsequent violation may result in the
permanent removal of a towing operator from the rotational duty service
list for a twelve-month period. A towing operator may appeal a suspension
or a permanent removal. In such cases, an appeal may be filed with
the Township Clerk within 10 business days of the suspension or removal.
A hearing shall be held by the Stafford Township Council within 30
business days of the filing. The Stafford Township Council shall render
its determination within 20 business days following the conclusion
of the hearing. The governing body's determination as rendered
shall be final and conclusive under this chapter.
Any person, firm or corporation who willfully violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalties as provided in Chapter
134. Each and every violation of this chapter for each and every day that any violation shall be permitted to continue shall be construed as a separate and distinct violation hereof. The Police Department is specifically designated as the enforcement officers to serve and execute process for violation of this chapter.