As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
ABSORBENT MATERIAL
Material such as sand or Speedy Dry used to collect liquids
such as radiator fluid, oil, gasoline or diesel fuel spills.
[Added 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12]
ADMINISTRATIVE FEE
Shall not be included in standard tow. This fee is for postaccident
service to include insurance inspection, telephone calls or faxes,
removal of personal items and additional paperwork. This shall be
assessed only one time per vehicle beginning with the third documented
visit, phone call, fax or inspection of the vehicle.
[Added 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12; amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
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 incident thereto.
CATEGORY III VEHICLE
All vehicles over 16,001 pounds gross vehicle weight.
[Added 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
CLEANUP
Removal and/or disposal of any debris left on the roadway
or property as a result of a motor vehicle accident or recovery.
[Added 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12]
CRUISING
The operation of an unengaged tow truck along the public
streets in any fashion intended or calculated to solicit business.
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT
The registration weight, the manufacturer's gross vehicle
weight rating or actual weight.
EMPLOYEE
Any person employed by a licensee to operate a wrecker.
RESPONSE TIME
The time the operator receives the telephone call from the
Old Bridge Township Police Department until the time the operator
arrives on the scene.
[Added 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12]
SERVICE CALL
A response to a motorist to provide aid for the changing
of flat tires, jump starting and/or providing fuel.
[Added 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12; amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
VEHICLE
Any automobile truck, trailer, motorcycle, minibike, moped,
go-cart, bus, farm equipment, or any other mechanically powered conveyance
which shall be or become disabled or which is required to be removed
from the scene of a crash, or other removal of which is necessary
in order to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare. Vehicle
weight must be less than four tons (8,001 pounds).
[Added 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12]
WAITING TIME(S)
Begins 15 minutes after the appropriate equipment arrives
on location of the incident and ends when the equipment begins recovery
operations. For the purposes of this section, "on location" is determined
and documented by on-scene law enforcement personnel. Licensees and/or
employees are required to report to the on-scene police officer advising
on their arrival and to request additional recovery equipment if needed.
[Added 3-2-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020-07]
WINCHING
The process of moving a vehicle by the use of the cable from
a position that is not accessible for direct hookup by conventional
means for loading onto a tow vehicle. Winching is not pulling a vehicle
onto a tilt bed or carrier. It is neither lifting a motor vehicle
with a conventional tow sling nor pulling it with a chain hooked to
a wrecker.
[Added 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12]
WRECKER
A vehicle used to tow or remove other vehicles usually so
damaged or disabled that they cannot proceed under their own power.
Light-duty wreckers are capable of towing or removing a medium-duty
wreckers are capable of removing or towing a Category II vehicle.
Heavy-duty wreckers are capable of removing or towing a Category III
vehicle.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
A license shall be required to perform police-requested
towing and roadside repair services on roadways within the Township
of Old Bridge. Any person or entity wishing to obtain a license pursuant
to this chapter shall submit a license application to the Township
Clerk.
Licenses shall be issued by the Township Clerk.
Each license shall be issued for a maximum term of one year and shall
terminate on January 1 of the year following its issuance.
No person or entity shall be eligible for the
issuance of a license unless the following requirements are fulfilled:
A. Towing equipment and wrecker requirements.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020-07]
(1) All towing equipment utilized by applicants shall be in compliance
with state, federal and local laws.
(2) Wreckers.
(a)
General wrecker requirements. All tow truck and flatbed vehicles
(light-, medium-, heavy-duty, or recovery) shall have at a minimum
the following:
[1]
Amber emergency lights (500 plus candlepower), with proper Amber
Light Permit from the State of New Jersey.
[2]
Two flood- or work lights to the rear of the wrecker.
[3]
Two-way radio or cellular phone.
[6]
Fire extinguisher: with a rating of 5 BC.
[Amended 2-14-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-01]
[9]
Jumper cables or jump box.
[10]
Road flares, triangles or road cones.
[11]
Trailer ball hitch attachment.
[12]
Motorcycle towing equipment.
[13]
DOT approved gas can or fuel can.
[15]
Assortment of wood blocks and boards.
[16]
Vehicle manufacturer serial plate must be legible and visible
for inspection on undercarriage and chassis boom, or under reach and
chassis, or certified by manufacturer's rating paperwork.
(b)
Light-duty service wreckers: (up to 10,000 pounds). Light-duty
wreckers must meet the following minimum requirements:
[1]
10,000 pounds GVWR minimum commercially manufactured wrecker
and chassis.
[3]
3,000 pounds minimum wheel lift capacity.
[4]
8,000 pounds minimum winch capacity.
[5]
8,000 pounds minimum hydraulic boom capacity.
[6]
Three-eighths-inch-by-100-foot cable or OEM specifications.
[7]
Two safety chains 3/8 inch by 10 feet with a minimum of Grade
8 alloy.
[8]
Two tow chains 3/8 inch by 10 feet with a minimum of Grade 8
alloy with J- and T-hooks, and grab hooks.
[9]
Wheel lift safety straps or equivalent wheel retention device.
[10]
One four-ton snatch block per winch.
(c)
Flatbeds must meet the following minimum requirements:
[1]
14,500 pounds GVWR minimum commercially manufactured flatbed
and chassis.
[2]
Seventeen feet or longer hydraulically operated slide back or
tilt bed.
[3]
Three-eighths-inch-by-fifty-foot cable or OEM specifications.
[4]
Four tie down devices; if chains they must be 3/8 inch by 10
feet with a minimum Grade 7 alloy, or synthetic web straps of equivalent
strength.
[5]
One bridle chain high test with J-hooks, T-hooks, and grab hooks.
[6]
One four-ton snatch block.
(d)
Medium-duty service wreckers (10,001 to 16,000 pounds). Medium-duty
wreckers must meet the following minimum requirements:
[1]
Less than 26,000 pounds GVWR minimum commercially manufactured
hydraulic wrecker and chassis.
[2]
Meeting state and federal DOT requirements governing commercial
motor vehicles.
[3]
Axle lift with 4,000 pounds minimum lift capacity and 10,000
pounds tow capacity.
[4]
Two safety chains 1/2 inch by 10 feet with a minimum of Grade
8 alloy.
[5]
Two tow chains 5/8 inch by 10 feet with a minimum of Grade 8
alloy.
[6]
Axle lift safety straps or equivalent retention device.
[7]
Tow light bar or magnetic tow lights.
[8]
T-bolts/maxi release pins.
[10]
Six-ton snatch blocks per winch.
(e)
Heavy-duty service wreckers (16,001 pounds and above). Heavy-duty
wreckers must meet the following minimum requirements:
[1]
33,000 pounds GVWR minimum commercially manufactured hydraulic
wrecker and chassis, with under reach capabilities.
[2]
Meeting state and federal DOT requirements governing commercial
motor vehicles.
[4]
Air transfer system means of controlling the brakes of the towed
vehicle.
[5]
Axle lift with 25,000 pounds minimum lift capacity and 80,000
pounds tow capacity.
[6]
Two safety chains 1/2 inch by 10 feet with a minimum of Grade
8 alloy.
[7]
Two tow chains 5/8 inch by 10 feet with a minimum of Grade 8
alloy.
[8]
Axle lift safety straps or equivalent retention device.
[9]
Tow light bar or magnetic tow lights.
[10]
T-bolts/maxi release pins.
[12]
Two 12-ton snatch blocks per winch.
(f)
Heavy-duty recovery wreckers. Heavy-duty recovery wreckers must
meet the following minimum requirements:
[1]
33,000 pounds GVWR minimum commercially manufactured hydraulic
wrecker and chassis, with under reach capabilities.
[2]
Oshkosh or Sterling type crane can be substituted for one hydraulic
boom wrecker.
[3]
Meeting state and federal DOT requirements governing commercial
motor vehicles.
[5]
Air transfer system means of controlling the brakes of the towed
vehicle.
[6]
Shall have an axle lift with 25,000 pounds of minimum lift capacity
and 80,000 pounds of tow capacity.
[7]
Wrecker must have a minimum boom capacity of 50,000 pounds.
[8]
Five-eighths-inch-by-200-foot cable or OEM specifications.
[9]
Two safety chains 1/2 inch by eight feet Grade 8 alloy.
[10]
Two tow chains 1/2 inch by 10 feet and four ratcheting chain
binders.
[11]
Four winching chains 1/2 inch by eight feet Grade 8 alloy.
[12]
Four tie down chains 5/16 inch by 10 feet and four ratcheting
chain binders.
[13]
Two recovery straps six inches by 20 feet or longer.
[14]
Axle lift safety straps or equivalent retention device.
[15]
Two Scotch blocks or recovery stiff legs mounted into body of
truck.
[16]
Two twelve-ton snatch blocks per winch.
[18]
Tow light bar or magnetic tow lights.
[19]
T-bolts/maxi release pins.
(g)
Additional equipment, either owned or subcontracted:
[1]
One air cushion recovery system, including starter cushions,
with motor driven air pump, with a lifting capacity of 100,000 pounds.
[2]
One semi-tractor with fifth wheel.
[3]
One Lowboy or Landall-type equipment hauling trailer with minimum
hauling capacity of 40,000 pounds.
[4]
One relief trailer or truck capable of transferring loads off
damaged trucks.
B. License applicants shall submit a detailed list of
all wreckers and service vehicles, as well as supplemental/auxiliary
equipment owned or leased which will be used in performance of this
chapter. A copy of the vehicle registration, amber light permit(s),
certificate of insurance for vehicles and property, insurance cards
and leases must also be provided with the list. The list must contain
the following information: type of vehicle, year/make, capacity and
condition of the vehicle.
C. License applicants shall demonstrate that they maintain
a storage facility properly zoned for such use located within the
Township of Old Bridge. Each license applicant must have an outdoor
storage area large enough to accommodate at least 10 Class I vehicles.
Each license applicant may have an indoor, secured storage area sufficient
to house at least two vehicles and provide twenty-four-hour security
for the same for the storing of impounded vehicles involved in criminal
matters.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(1) The provision requiring the applicant to maintain a storage facility
within the Township of Old Bridge is prospective only. Any applicant
who was approved in the year 2019 on the Old Bridge Police Department
towing list is exempt from this provision unless that applicant is
not continuously approved year to year going forward. Should a previous
applicant from the 2019 tow list not qualify, withdraw, not apply
or be removed from the list going forward from 2020, then that applicant
shall be considered a new applicant and the provision requiring location
within the Township of Old Bridge shall apply.
D. License applicants shall maintain the following insurance:
[Amended 1-9-2006 by Ord. No. 38-2005; 5-11-2009 by Ord. No.
2009-12]
(1) A garage
keeper’s liability policy as set forth in N.J.S.A. 39:3-84.8
covering fire, theft and explosion in the minimum amount of $100,000.
(2) A garage
liability policy covering the operation of the licensee’s equipment
or vehicles for the amount of $300,000 for any one person killed or
injured in any one accident and $100,000 for all property damage from
one accident.
(3) Automobile
liability insurance as set forth in N.J.S.A. 39:3-84.8 in an amount
of not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit for bodily injury
and property damage liability.
(4) Workers’
compensation insurance insuring the obligation of the wrecker operator
under the New Jersey Workers’ Compensation and Occupational
Disease Laws.
(5) Insurance
policies shall provide collision coverage for vehicles in tow.
(6) Each
licensee shall have his/her insurance agent submit a certificate of
coverage to the Township. The Township of Old Bridge shall be listed
as an additional insured.
(7) Annual
renewal:
(a) Certificate of insurance must be submitted to the Township of Old
Bridge prior to the renewal date.
(b) Insurance carriers shall notify the Township of Old Bridge immediately
if a policy is canceled.
(c) The insurance carrier shall make written notification to the Township
of Old Bridge of any changes in insurance coverage at least 10 days
prior to the change.
E. License applicants shall submit the following for
the applicant and all employees: name, address, date of birth, social
security number, photocopies of all New Jersey drivers’ licenses
(including commercial driver’s licenses), signature, name and
address of an individual to contact in case of emergency. The Old
Bridge Police Department shall conduct background investigations of
all license applicants and their employees. Any person with a criminal
record will not be allowed to perform Police Department towing and
service and/or be issued a license.
[Amended 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12]
F. Each licensee
shall execute an indemnification agreement indemnifying the Township
of Old Bridge and holding it harmless from any and all claims arising
directly or indirectly from the actions of the licensee.
[Added 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12]
[Amended 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12]
A. No storage fees may be charged for a vehicle retrieved
within 12 hours after its initial placement at a licensee's storage
facility.
B. No storage fees shall be imposed for the day an owner
or motorist retrieves the vehicle, if such retrieval occurs before
11:00 a.m.
(1) After hours release. A fee of $75 may be imposed if a licensee releases
a vehicle after posted business hours as indicated in this article.
The licensee is required to advise the person receiving the vehicle
of this after hours release fee prior to releasing the vehicle.
[Added 3-2-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020-07]
C. The following fees are the maximum fees which may
be charged by licensees:
(1) Towing charge.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(a)
Category I. All vehicles 0 to 10,000 pounds
GVW: $135.
(b)
Category II. All vehicles over 10,000 pounds
GVW but less than 26,001 pounds GVW: $365.
(c) Category III. All vehicles over 26,001 pounds GVW, including buses:
$550.
(2) Additional charges for Category I, II, and III vehicles.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07
(a)
Winching cable: $61 per quarter-hour increment/maximum
one hour.
(b)
Uprighting: $61 per quarter-hour increment/maximum
one hour.
(d)
Mileage: $3.65 per mile/round trip outside the
Township.
(3) Storage.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(a)
Inside storage:
[1]
Category I vehicle: $50 per day.
[2]
Category II vehicle: $100 per day.
[3] Category III vehicle: $130 per day per unit (example: tractor and
trailer combo).
(b)
Outside storage:
[1]
Category I vehicle: $40 per day.
[2]
Category II vehicle: $80 per day.
[3] Category III vehicle: $110 per day per unit (example: tractor and
trailer combo).
(4) In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.50, all fees to
be paid to a licensee by the Township of Old Bridge for the storage
of motor vehicles shall not exceed the following:
(a)
A limit of $3 per day for the first 30 days
of storage per vehicle;
(b)
A limit of $2 per day for the 31st day of storage
and any day thereafter, and
(c)
A limit of $400 per vehicle stored regardless
of the duration of the storage, except that a waiver may be granted
for good cause upon the request of a municipality by the Division
of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs.
(5) Vehicles stored on the property of the Township of
Old Bridge shall be subject to a storage fee of $40 per day, payable
to the Township.
(6) Service calls.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(c)
Fuel: $85 plus cost of fuel.
(7) Additional charges, Class III vehicles:
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(d)
Brake release, per axle: $35.
(9) Licensees must accept either cash or at least one
major credit card (Visa, MasterCard) as payment for services. Checks,
if accepted, will be by mutual consent of tow company and motorist.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(10) Cleanup
fee for the cleanup of debris on the highway or at the scene of an
accident and application of absorbent material may be charged at a
rate of $50 per hour per vehicle. The fee for absorbent material shall
be $18 per bag.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(11) A
licensee may assess a one-time "administrative fee" in the amount
of $35 for motor vehicle accidents only, to compensate for time spent
on the telephone with the customers, insurance companies or police
and time spent copying, faxing or sending e-mails by staff.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
D. Mileage fees are not permitted within the borders
of Old Bridge. No other fees or charges are permitted except as set
forth above.
E. Response times for police calls.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(1) Light-duty wrecker:
(a)
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: 20 minutes.
(b)
6:01 p.m. to 7:59 a.m.: 25 minutes.
(2) Medium- or heavy-duty wrecker:
(a)
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: 25 minutes.
(b)
6:01 p.m. to 7:59 a.m.: 35 minutes.
F. Waiting times for police calls.
[Added 3-2-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020-07]
(1) Light-duty wrecker: $30 per hour or part thereof beginning after
15 minutes on scene.
(2) Medium- or heavy-duty wrecker:. $40 per hour or part thereof beginning
after 15 minutes on scene.
G. Specialized recovery equipment fees. (After the first hour, all hourly
billable rates will be charged in 1/2 hour increments.)
[Added 3-2-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020-07]
(1) Rotator crane: $1,000 per hour.
(2) Tractor with Landoll trailer or detached trailer: $400 per hour.
(3) Tractor/transport hauler only: $200 per hour.
(4) Refrigerated trailer with tractor: $400 per hour.
(5) Box trailer with tractor: $350 per hour.
(6) Air cushion unit: $1,000 per hour.
(7) Light tower: $200 per hour.
(8) Pallet jack: $150 flat rate.
(10)
Any other specialized equipment: $200 per hour.
(11)
Loader, backhoe, bulldozer, bobcat: $250 per hour.
(13)
Dump truck/dump trailer with tractor: $300 per hour.
(14)
Roll-off container: $300 per hour plus disposal.
H. Labor.
[Added 3-2-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020-07]
(1) Recovery supervisor and/or Level III recovery specialist: $200 per
hour. (Charges limited to one per incident.)
(2) Certified towing operator: $100 per hour.
(3) Manual laborers: $75 per hour each.
I. Additional services.
[Added 3-2-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020-07]
(2) Tarping/wrapping.
(b)
Class II, III vehicles: $150.
(3) After hours release: $75.
(4) Decoupling fee: 1/2 basic rate. A vehicle is considered decoupled
if the towing service was actively engaged in towing/recovery operations
(on hook) and the tow/recovery is not performed. This fee is not applicable
to a failed tow/recovery.
(5) Winching:
(a)
Class I and II vehicles: $125 per 1/2 hour increments.
(b)
Class III vehicles: $250 per 1/2 hour increments.
J. Notes: Charges for all trucks and recovery equipment are inclusive
of the operator. No charges are to be assessed for an operator that
drives and/or operates the truck or recovery equipment.
[Added 3-2-2020 by Ord.
No. 2020-07]
The Police Department shall maintain current
rotational lists of wrecker operators for police-requested service
calls and towing calls. The Police Department shall maintain a list
for service calls and two towing call lists, one for wreckers capable
of towing category I vehicles and one for wreckers capable of towing
category II vehicles.
[Amended 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12]
The Director of Police may promulgate rules
and regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter.
[Added 5-11-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-12; amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
Effective January 1, 2021, the fees contained in this chapter
shall increase by 2% per year on the first of January each year.