Source: https://ecode360.com/12155111
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 00:14:28+00:00

Document:
§ 358-3 Tower to be licensed and appointed.
§ 358-4 Services to be furnished.
§ 358-7 Investigation and inspection by Police Chief.
§ 358-8 Standards for approval of applications.
§ 358-9 Issuance of licenses; fees.
§ 358-10 Towing vehicles and operators.
§ 358-11 Vehicle storage areas.
§ 358-12 Towing and storage of vehicles.
§ 358-13 Rates and charges.
§ 358-14 Rotational call-out list.
§ 358-20 Services to Township.
§ 358-22 Violations and penalties; suspension or revocation of license.
This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Montville Township Towing Ordinance."
A private passenger automobile, station wagon, van, motorbike, motorcycle, ATV, moped, or similar vehicle, that is owned or hired and is neither used as a public or livery conveyance for passengers or rented to others with a driver; and any other automobile having a registered vehicle weight of less than 12,500 pounds.
The servicing of a vehicle or the removal and transportation of a vehicle from a highway, street, or other public or private road, parking area or from a storage facility. This chapter and the definitions herein shall not include the recovery of a vehicle from a position beyond the public right-of-way or berm, or from being impaled upon any other object outside of the public right-of-way or berm.
A vehicle which has been abandoned, impounded or rendered inoperable as a result of a mechanical failure, involvement in an accident or criminal activity. A vehicle the location of which constitutes a hazard to the motoring public shall be deemed disabled for the purposes of this chapter.
Repairs which can be performed at the scene of a tow, including but not limited to flat tire changing, jump starting and gasoline deliveries.
Heavy-duty hydraulic tow truck classification shall be 26,500 pounds up to 80,000 pounds, with minimum twenty-five-ton hydraulic extendable boom and minimum 45,000 pounds hydraulic under reach; minimum two 25,000 pound hydraulic winches.
The act of storing and confining a vehicle upon an order of the Police Department at either the towing operator's storage area or at a Township facility as a result of abandonment, involvement in an accident, or suspected criminal activity.
A vehicle storage facility that is completely indoors, having one or more openings or storage bins in the walls for the storage of vehicles and that is secured by a locking device on each bin or opening.
Any wrecker licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind that is in contract with the Township, pursuant to this chapter, to provide wrecker/towing services to the Township.
The Montville Township Public Works Garage located at 143 River Road, Montville.
Montville Township Police Department, Sally Port located at 360 Main Road, Montville.
Montville Township Police Department storage area as directed by officer in charge, located at 360 Main Road, Montville.
A vehicle storage facility that is not completely indoors and that is secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier that is at least six feet in height and is protected with on-site security or an alarm system. Outside storage facilities shall also maintain adequate lighting to protect stored vehicles from vandalism.
A person, firm, corporation or partnership who owns and/or operates a vehicle on the roads and highways within the Township of Montville, which vehicle, by reason of being disabled or abandoned on the roads and highways of Montville Township, requires towing and/or servicing.
Any person, firm, partnership, association, company or organization of any kind.
A person, firm, corporation or partnership engaged in the business of providing towing, road service and storage services for vehicles.
Elected officials of the Township of Montville through which legislative and investigative powers of the municipality are exercised.
Additional time the tow operator spends at the scene beyond the first 10 minutes after arriving on the scene due to circumstances which do not allow access to the vehicle to be towed, such as police investigation, extrication and/or medical treatment of involved persons, etc.
A vehicle driven by mechanical power and employed for the same purpose of towing, transporting, conveying, recovering or removing any and all kinds of vehicles under 12,500 pounds, which are unable to be and actually are not operated under their own power from the place where they are disabled to some other place, or any vehicle(s) which the Police Department has ordered to be impounded.
Any person having available space at a garage who desires to engage in municipal towing at police request, as delineated in this chapter, must first apply for and be approved for a license according to the terms and conditions of this chapter and, if approved for a license, enter into a contract, for a duration of one year. Such persons shall be known as "licensees" and shall serve as such pursuant to the terms of the contract between the licensee and the Township, subject to the Local Public Contracts Law as well as this chapter.
No licensee shall subcontract to any person who is not a licensed authorized tower any work to be performed by him of the Township, without having first obtained the written approval from the Police Department for the use of the subcontractor, which approval is necessary in order to maintain an equitable and nondiscriminatory administration of the rotation lists referenced in § 358-14. Any licensee authorized to subcontract work remains liable for any violation by the subcontractor and shall be governed by all the terms and conditions of this chapter.
Any licensee who voluntarily removes itself from the rotating list, thereby relinquishing its license under this chapter, forfeits the right to reapply for a license under this chapter until the next awarding of licenses and contracts by the Township.
There shall be no limitation on the number of light-duty towers licensed and appointed to service the Township of Montville. All qualified applicants shall be appointed.
There shall be no limitation on the number of heavy-duty towers licensed and appointed to serve the Township of Montville. All qualified applicants shall be appointed.
Licensees shall furnish towing, storage and emergency repair services, in conformance with this chapter, to motor vehicles within the limits of the Township of Montville when requested to do so by the Montville Police Department. These services are to include the towing and storage of unclaimed or abandoned vehicles when requested to do so by the Montville Township Police Department.
The full name and business address of the applicant, and whether he is owner, lessee or bailee. If the application is made for a corporation, it shall state the names and addresses of the officers and directors thereof, its registered office and its registered agent, and the telephone numbers available on a twenty-four-hour-per-day basis.
The year, make and type of each wrecker, its serial number, registration number, vehicle lifting capacities and registered owner.
The address where the wrecker(s) shall be regularly garaged.
The names of all towing vehicle operators, their addresses and the serial numbers of their New Jersey motor vehicle driver licenses.
Evidence to demonstrate that the person, company or corporation applying for this license has at least three years' experience, as sole proprietor or as an employee, in the towing of automobiles.
That the applicant has an inside building storage facility or outside secured storage facility with available space for properly accommodating and protecting all motor vehicles to be towed or otherwise removed from the place where they are disabled or impounded, and that any such vehicles will not be stored or allowed to remain on public property or Township streets or on property which is not zoned for such storage. The facility must be located either within the Township boundaries or within three miles traveling distance from the boundaries of the Township. The applicant must, therefore, obtain from the Zoning Officer of the Township of Montville a zoning permit demonstrating that the premises upon which the inside building storage facility or outside secured storage facility is located does not violate Chapter 230, Land Use and Development. The zoning permit, once obtained, must be made part of the application.
That the applicant can ensure a fifteen-minute arrival on-scene time on all calls, heavy or unusual traffic conditions excepted. A fifteen-minute response time shall mean that the applicant shall arrive at the location where the tow is to occur within 15 minutes of being informed that tow services are required.
The application shall have affixed thereto an affidavit to be sworn by the applicant that all of the information given in the application is true and correct, and said application shall be submitted to the Township Clerk no later than November 1 of the year preceding the license year.
Level 2 and 3 for heavy-duty towing and recovery.
An application fee for each license shall be accompanied by an application fee as set forth in Chapter 169, Fee Schedule, payable to the Township of Montville, in addition to any fee for the criminal history check set forth in § 358-7 as well as any other fees required by this chapter. These fees do not include the license fees as set forth in § 358-9. Such application fees are not refundable in the event that an inspection of the vehicle(s) has been made and no license is issued because of failure to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter or of any regulations mandated under this chapter by the Police Chief.
The Township Clerk shall refer the application for a license to the Police Chief who shall cause an investigation to be made of the applicant and of his proposed business operation and shall make or have made an inspection of the vehicle(s) to be licensed. The Police Chief may delegate the inspection of the vehicle(s) to be licensed. The Police Chief may delegate the inspection of the vehicle(s) to an independent person, not engaged in business in the Township, who shall be qualified by experience and training to make such inspection. Any such person shall report to the Police Chief whether the vehicle(s) are in a thoroughly safe and sanitary condition and comply with the requirements and standards of this chapter as set forth herein. The Township shall reserve the right to disqualify from consideration any applicant whose performance on similar service previously provided to the Township was determined to be unsatisfactory. Equipment and personnel of the licensee are subject to periodic inspections and approval by the Township.
Within 60 days after the receipt of the completed application, the Police Chief is to complete the investigation and inspection, and according to the terms of this section as well as any other relevant section of this chapter, either refuse to approve the application, or shall approve the application and classify each wrecker to be licensed as either light-duty or heavy-duty ensuring compliance with the minimum standards delineated in § 358-10.
Included in the Police Chief's investigation of the applicant shall be a criminal history check with the New Jersey State Police Bureau of Investigation.
The Township of Montville recognizes that the licensee must be trustworthy in that he is safeguarding vehicles belonging to others. Therefore, to protect the public interest, the Township may disqualify any licensee wherein an employee, owner, principal, agent, etc., has been convicted of a crime or a violation under this chapter which crime or violation would indicate that the licensee may not be responsible in the best interest of others. Such crimes or violations would include, but not be limited to, car theft, stealing of car parts, break-ins, thefts, overcharging, assault, etc.
If any licensee or employee, owner, principal or agent, etc., of a licensee is found guilty of such a crime or violation during the term of the license, the license may be canceled by the Township for reasons aforesaid. The licensee shall notify the Police Department in writing of any criminal charges or violation that become pending against him or his employees during the term of the license.
The Township of Montville recognizes that tow truck operators must also be drivers who abide by this state's motor vehicle laws. Accordingly, any tow truck operator having one or more convictions, within three years of the date of the licensee's application, or renewal thereof, is filed with the Township, for a moving violation of the motor vehicle laws of this state, which the Township Police Chief determines will negatively impact upon the ability of the tow truck operator to safely and properly operate a motor vehicle, will be disqualified from operating any of the licensee's motor vehicles within the Township. If the licensee is already licensed, upon a conviction for a moving motor vehicle violation which the Township Police Chief determines will negatively impact upon the ability of the tow truck operator to safely and properly operate a motor vehicle, a tow truck operator will be immediately disqualified from operating any of the licensee's motor vehicles within the Township.
The Police Department reserves the right to investigate at any time the licensee or anyone employed by the licensee for the purpose of fulfilling the contract herein.
That the public convenience and necessity will be served by the use of the vehicle(s) for which the application has been made.
That the insurance policies as required herein have been procured and supplied.
That the applicant and proposed operators are fit persons to operate the wrecker and conduct a wrecker service in the Township. License holders will be required to submit a list of operators and their legal addresses and keep the Police Department informed of any changes in the operator's and/or their legal addresses.
That the requirements of this chapter and all other governing laws, statutes and ordinances have been met.
That the wrecker(s) have been properly licensed and inspected by the State of New Jersey having the necessary stickers affixed, and meet with the required minimum standards as set forth by this chapter.
Compliance with the requirements of § 358-5 and all other sections of this chapter.
That the applicant demonstrates to the Police Department that the applicant will be able to ensure a fifteen-minute on-scene arrival time for each call, heavy or unusual traffic conditions excepted.
Upon written notification by the Chief of Police that an application has been approved and classified, as well as compliance being met with all other sections of this chapter, the Municipal Clerk of the Township of Montville shall issue a license to the licensee under this chapter, as well as individual licenses for each wrecker owned or operated by the licensee designating such wrecker as either light-duty or heavy-duty.
Prior to conducting any towing activities pursuant to this chapter, the licensee must execute a contract approved by both counsel for the Township and the Township Committee, which contract is in conformance with the Local Public Contracts Law and any other relevant laws, regulations and ordinances.
The fee for a light-duty or heavy-duty municipal towing license shall be as set forth in Chapter 169, Fee Schedule, per year. This fee shall be payable before issuance of the license regardless of the time of year at which the license is issued, and fees shall not be prorated. In the event that duplicates of a license are required, the same shall be supplied for a fee for each as set forth in Chapter 169. Said license shall remain valid from January 1 to December 31 of each year or part thereof.
Light-duty and heavy-duty municipal towing licenses will expire on December 31 of each year. Complete license applications and fees must be submitted annually in order for licenses to be considered for renewal. It is expressly ordained that all vehicles licensed by the licensee must be inspected by the Police Department annually.
Each wrecker must meet all of the requirements of the Revised Statutes, Title 39, Motor Vehicle Rules and Regulation, and must have a lifting capacity of at least five tons. The Township reserves the right to request verification of the vehicle's capacities from either the vehicle's manufacturer or a reputable testing laboratory.
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 39:1-1 et seq.
Dual rear wheels or equivalent.
A power take-off-controlled winch with a minimum cable thickness of 1/2 inch or equivalent.
Comparable weight equal to the vehicles to be towed, with a minimum of 5,500 pounds.
A three-eighths-inch safety chain. The lift chain and the safety chain shall not be attached in any form or manner to the same part of the wrecker.
A five-pound CO2 dry-powder extinguisher or equivalent.
One broom, shovel and debris container.
Ten pounds absorbent materials such as "speedy dry" and any other materials necessary to remove any and all debris from the roadway at the tow site. In addition to removal of any absorbent materials applied at the scene, each official tower must dispose of any vehicle debris, such as glass or vehicle parts, removed from the roadway in a lawful manner.
Emergency lighting in conformance with applicable federal and New Jersey state statutes and regulations. This lighting must include at a minimum either an amber beacon light or a light bar, either of which must have visibility of 360°. Each vehicle must have a valid amber light permit issued by the State of New Jersey.
Equipped with a winch rated to accept at least 8,000 pounds.
Minimum gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 40,000 pounds commercially manufactured wrecker and chassis.
Air transfer system: means of controlling the brakes of the towed vehicle.
Axle lift with minimal lift capacity of 45,000 pounds and tow capacity of 80,000 pounds.
Two winches, each rated for at least 25,000 pounds, or one winch rated at least 50,000 pounds.
Commercially manufactured wrecker and chassis 40,000 pounds minimum gross vehicle weight (GVW).
Hydraulic-operated boom of 50,000 pounds minimum.
Minimum two 25,000 pound winches.
Minimum chassis lift/under-reach rated of 45,000 pounds.
Four tie-down chains, five-sixteenths-inch by 10 feet and four chain binders.
Hydraulic recovery stiff legs mounted into body of the truck.
Air cushion recovery system, including starter cushions, with motor-driver air pump, with a lifting capacity of 100,000 pounds.
Each licensed tower licensed with heavy-duty wreckers must, in addition to any other criteria, have available at least two flatbed trucks duly licensed under the terms of this chapter. They must also have available at least one tractor and one Landoll or equivalent type trailer and one recovery trailer to include air-cushion/air-bag recovery; straps; broom and shovel; regular saw, and K-12/saw/chain saw.
General requirements. Every licensed tower must have a minimum of two flatbed-type trucks with wheel-lifts and one conventional tow truck with hydraulic ten-ton boom with wheel lift for its light-duty wrecker. Every licensed tower must have under-reach capability for its heavy-duty wreckers. This is necessary in order to ensure the capability of the licensed tower to lift towed vehicles from the underside of the vehicle in a damage-free manner.
Passenger automobiles and trucks under one ton.
Trucks one ton and over.
Standby service will begin when the Chief of Police, or his authorized designee, calls the licensee initially and will end when he terminates the standby status by telephone or personal contact with the licensee.
The office, workshop, and storage areas of the applicant must be located in zones where such use is permitted.
Each vendor providing towing services must show proof of ownership or permission for use of proper land area to store a minimum of 10 cars that is located either within the Township boundaries or within three miles traveling distance from the boundaries of the Township. In regards to heavy duty, must also accommodate two tractor and trailers. A storage facility that is not completely indoors must be secured by a fence, wall or other man-made barrier that is at least six feet in height and is protected with on-site security. The facility is to be lighted at night with continual motion detection actuated lighting.
Adequate lighting, shielded from abutting premises, shall be maintained during night hours, and all gates and access doors to the storage area will be locked to provide safety for the automobiles in storage and their contents from theft, damage or vandalism.
All storage areas shall have fencing at least six feet in height, which fencing shall be constructed of a material which will shield the vehicles from the public view and must meet Township building requirements.
No stacking of wrecked automobiles one on top of the other shall be permitted, and only one level of storage is permitted.
All automobiles must be stored singly and arranged as to permit inspection and subsequent removal.
Each automobile stored in violation of these specifications and without the permission of the Montville Chief of Police shall be subject to a penalty of $5 per day, per vehicle, and the Township reserves the right to terminate any individual's or firm's license in the event of improper storage.
An on-site inspection and approval of the proposed storage area will be made by Township representatives prior to award of this license.
The Township reserves the right, during any emergency, to designate temporary areas owned or leased by the Township for storage of automobiles towed to said area at the direction of the Chief of Police. During said emergencies, the licensee shall be entitled to make regular charges to the owners of the automobiles so removed to that storage area.
The licensee shall be responsible for obtaining a valid salvage title for each abandoned automobile in his possession that was obtained through towing under this license. The licensee will endeavor to dispose of the abandoned automobiles as rapidly as possible by public auction in compliance with the law of the State of New Jersey. The Township must also obtain junk title for licensee at no expense to licensee.
The licensee shall be responsible for the towing of automobiles as described herein on a twenty-four-hour basis, seven days a week, during the term of the license.
The licensee shall respond promptly to all requests for towing service by the Township. In any event, the licensee shall respond and be present at the towing location within 15 minutes of receipt of notice of the towing, unless heavy or unusual traffic conditions within or without the Township prevent the licensee from arriving within 15 minutes. In that event, the licensee shall arrive in a reasonable time given allowance for said traffic conditions. Repeated late arrivals without satisfactory cause shall constitute grounds which the Township, in its discretion, may be considered a violation of this chapter by the licensee.
Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the owner or operator of an automobile from contacting a tower or wrecker of his or her own choice to remove the automobile from the public streets of the Township after it has become disabled or otherwise inoperable, unless the police officer on the scene determines that public safety requires that the vehicle be immediately removed from the scene, at which time a licensed tower will be called.
All owners or operators of disabled automobiles retain the right to direct the towing vehicle to remove the disabled automobile to a garage or workshop of their own choosing.
The decision as to which category any vehicle tow is assigned and to which storage facility it will be towed by the licensee shall be made by the Township of Montville Police Department, and the licensee shall have no responsibility for the same.
The licensee shall be responsible for the towing of vehicles described in Subsection E from streets, public alleys, public rights-of-way, public easements, avenues, thoroughfares, public or quasipublic places, including parks and playgrounds, or any other Township-owned lots, as directed by the Township of Montville Police Department.
The licensee will be responsible to clean up all broken glass and debris at the scenes of accidents.
The following towing and storage fees shall apply for passenger vehicles and other vehicles as indicated.
In the event that the towing operator has been summoned by the Township for the purpose of towing an abandoned vehicle and has arrived on the scene; and if the owner or the operator appears on the scene before the vehicle is hooked to a tow truck, then the towing operator will collect a road service fee. It is the responsibility of the towing operator to secure the billing information and collect the road service fee.
Vehicles that are towed under this chapter and that subsequently become the target of a police investigation (criminal, fatal accident, etc.), and become the responsibility of the Township to pay the tow charge shall be charged at the current rate for towing of Township-owned vehicles.
Storage fees shall commence once the towed vehicle has been brought to the storage facility and counted as one calendar day and continue for every calendar day following. The fees set forth for storage are the maximum storage charges per twenty-four-hour period and same shall apply to a vehicle that is stored as a result of accidents, abandonments, repairs, or suspected criminal activity.
Wherever applicable, it shall be the responsibility of the towing operator to first inform the owner or operator of the estimated total cost prior to the performance of any towing service.
Release of impounded vehicles. No impounded vehicle is to be released without proper authorization from the Police Department. Vehicle release must be available during normal business hours.
The licensee shall not charge a storage fee for any automobile stored at the Township of Montville storage facility, which is the Township Public Works garage, or other site as designated by the ranking police officer on the scene.
Every operator of towing service shall, prior to the actual towing or storing of any automobile, give the owner or operator a written estimate of cost, when feasible, and a written receipt when paid.
The rates applicable to towing services performed under this chapter shall be posted in a conspicuous place, visible to the public at both the licensee's storage facility and office and at the Montville Township Police Department during normal business hours.
The licensee shall prepare a bill for towing charges for each vehicle towed, consistent with the schedule of towing services under this chapter, and shall provide copies of bills to the Chief of Police for inspection within two weeks after their scheduled rotation.
The licensee will be responsible to accept payment for towing and storage charges in the form of cash and personal checks with proper identification from vehicle owners or operators who have had their vehicle towed under this chapter.
Prior to the release of any vehicle by the Township storage facility, the Township will direct the vehicle owner to the licensee to obtain payment for the licensee's towing fee as indicated on said bill. Neither the Township nor its officers will collect or otherwise accept any payment on behalf of the licensee. The licensee will be responsible to contact the Police dispatch and advise them that the payment has been received and the vehicle can be released.
Within 10 working days of the tow, the Police Department shall be responsible for attempting to notify the owner of an abandoned vehicle towed under this chapter that his/her vehicle has been towed to an impound area. In the event the towed vehicle is not removed by the owner within seven days, the licensee shall be responsible for notifying the Police Department in writing of said situation. Failure of the licensee to notify the Police Department as stated herein shall limit the storage charge to seven working days only. The Township will make good faith efforts to auction abandoned vehicles and other unclaimed vehicles towed within the Township pursuant to state law. The Township will not assist the licensee in otherwise collecting unpaid towing bills. The Township must obtain junk title for licensee at no expense to licensee.
In the event that an auction on said vehicles is held, and money is received, the licensee shall be paid his towing fee for said vehicle from the auction amount, provided that the auction amount is equal to or greater than the towing fee. If not, the licensee shall receive the auction amount and the Township shall have no obligation to pay the licensee the difference. If the proceeds from such a sale of a vehicle are insufficient to pay the accrued towing or service charges for that vehicle, the licensed tower agrees that there shall be no further liability on the Township of Montville to pay same, and any excess amounts which may be due shall be waived.
The rates and charges provided for in this chapter are to be all inclusive, and no other rates shall be charged relating to the towing, storage, processing, servicing or release of vehicles.
The Chief of Police shall see that a record is maintained containing the names, addresses and twenty-four-hour telephone numbers of all licensed wreckers and a record of the types of wreckers available to meet the specific need of the emergency.
Licensees shall perform licensed services on a rotating basis. The Chief of Police shall maintain a revolving list schedule of licensed wreckers to provide service where needed and instruct all duty officers to call each successive licensee provided on a seven-day rotational basis.
No licensee shall respond to the scene of a disabled vehicle except upon notification by the police officer in charge at police headquarters or upon request of the driver.
Separate lists will be administrated by the Police Department for light-duty towing and heavy-duty towing. If a licensee is approved for both heavy-duty and light-duty towing, the licensee's turn on the light-duty list must be separate from its turn on the heavy-duty list.
Such additional rules and regulations regarding the rotation of wreckers as may be promulgated hereunder by the Police Chief and filed with the Municipal Clerk shall take effect immediately after service of a copy thereof on licensees, which service may be made by addressing same to said licensees by ordinary mail at their known address. If, pursuant to the rules and regulations for rotation of wreckers adopted under this chapter, the Police Department summons a wrecker to the scene of a disabled vehicle for the purpose of removing the vehicle and the summoned wrecker shall arrive at the scene, the owner or driver of the disabled vehicle shall use the services of the summoned wrecker.
Provide a prompt response to each call.
Clean all debris at the accident site emanating from the accident.
Identification of the impounded vehicle after being towed.
A vehicle impounded by the police shall not be released without a written tow order release form authorizing said release.
A written record shall be kept or maintained by the towing service indicating the name of the person releasing the vehicle, the type of proof of ownership presented, and the name of the person receiving said vehicle.
It is expressly required that each licensee maintain a hard copy receipt of all services provided for under this chapter, which receipt shall bear the original signature of the person to whom the vehicle was released.
After towing or hauling a vehicle to his garage, the licensee shall make an inventory of all accessible and apparent property contained within the vehicle and shall forward a copy of the inventory, setting forth the date of hauling and the name and address of an owner of the vehicle, within the two-hour period after expiration of the call period to the Police Department.
Comply with all other terms and conditions of this chapter.
Comply with all motor vehicle rules and regulations found within Title 39.
No soliciting for vehicle repair shall be made by the licensee at the scene of an accident or within 48 hours of the release of any vehicle owner or operator from a hospital.
Release of vehicles. Licensees shall only release vehicles towed as a consequence of the licensee's performance under this chapter, after receiving a written authorization from the Police Department to release the vehicle.
The licensee will indemnify and hold harmless the Township of Montville, its officers and employees from and against any and all claims for personal injury or property damage against the Township arising out of any towing services or repair services under this chapter.
The licensee will further defend the Township of Montville, its officers and employees, at the licensee's expense, in connection with any claim, demand, suit, or action brought against the Township and arising out of the operation of any towing, garage services provided under this chapter.
The licensees agree that to the fullest extent permitted by law, they shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Township from and against any and all claims, suits, judgments and demands whatsoever, including, without limitation, cost, litigation, expenses, counsel fees and liabilities with respect to injury or death of any person or persons whatsoever, or damage to property of any kind whomever owned, arising out of or caused or claimed to have been caused in whole or in part by the negligent acts or omissions of the licensee or any person directly or indirectly employed by the licensee while in the performance of rendering of any services pursuant to the scope of this chapter.
Comprehensive general liability insurance limit of liability shall not be less than $500,000 combined single limits (bodily injury and property damage) per occurrence and aggregate including premises operations and products/completed operations.
Automobile liability insurance limit of liability shall not be less than $1,000,000 combined single limits (bodily injury and property damage) per occurrence.
Workers' compensation insurance statutory coverage including liability coverage with a limit of at least $100,000 (where applicable).
Excess umbrella coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 combined single limit.
On all liability policies, the Township of Montville shall be named as additional insured, and insurance certificates shall indicate such coverage.
All liability insurance policies will be endorsed to provide collision coverage for automobiles in tow.
The licensee shall provide the Township with certificates of insurance evidencing the coverages required above. These certificates must be provided before commencing work in connection with the licensee. Failure to submit this with the bid shall subject said bid to immediate disqualification. The licensee shall produce a certificate of insurance at the time of license renewal as well as at the time of the insurance policy renewal.
Insurance coverage shall indemnify the Township of Montville, its officers and employees, and the public against any loss due to injuries, accidents or damages of any character whatsoever, where any such damage is the result of act or omission of the licensee, his agents or employees in or due to the execution of the work called for under the license.
The certificates of insurance shall be issued by a company certified to do business in New Jersey, and each policy so required must contain an endorsement providing for 30 calendar days' written notice to both the Township of Montville and licensee, to be delivered by certified mail, receipt requested, of any intended cancellation, intention not to renew, or revision or material change in such coverage.
The providing of any insurance required herein shall not relieve the licensee of any of the responsibilities or obligations assumed by the licensee under this chapter or for which the bidder may be liable by law or otherwise.
Failure to provide and continue in force such insurance as required above shall be deemed a material breach of the license and shall operate as an immediate termination thereof.
In the event that any policy is changed so as to fail to conform to the above requirements or if any policy on any licensed wrecker is canceled for any reason, the Chief of Police shall notify the person responsible for the policy, and it shall be corrected or reinstated or replaced with a conforming policy within the 10 days after the notice is received and before the date of cancellation. If the policy or certificate is not corrected, reinstated or replaced within 10 calendar days of the date of cancellation, the Chief of Police shall immediately suspend the wrecker license and shall pick up from the owner all indicia of licensing, including any stickers, cards, medallions or other means of identification.
The Chief of Police shall see that a record is maintained of the regular response of wreckers to police calls.
The Chief of Police shall see that a record is maintained of any and all complaints from vehicle owners as to improper service or charges.
The Chief of Police is hereby given the authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this chapter, subject to the approval by resolution of the governing body of the Township of Montville.
The Chief of Police is hereby given the authority to suspend or revoke the right of any person or firm which is on the authorized list if the person or firm violates any of the terms and conditions of this chapter.
Failure of the licensee to submit the required listing of towers, including proof of ownership or lease or license, to be used during the term of this license shall be sufficient cause for cancellation of the license granted by the Township.
The Police Chief shall maintain due diligence over all licensed towers to see that they are kept in a condition of safety for the transportation and hauling of disabled vehicles, and shall have the right at all times to inspect all such licensed towers and shall maintain a record, in writing, of the report of all such inspections. If, at any time, the Police Chief shall deem the equipment inadequate or unsafe, he shall have the power to demand immediate correction, and, if not corrected to the full satisfaction of the Police Chief, he shall then have the power to revoke or suspend the license as in the case he may deem fit and proper, after a hearing is had upon the nature and circumstances of the violation.
The Police Chief is authorized and empowered to establish additional regulations not inconsistent herewith, as may be necessary and reasonable, governing the issuance of any license provided for in this chapter. All regulations promulgated by the Police Chief shall be filed with the Township Clerk.
Whenever the Police Chief promulgates regulations, notice of said promulgations shall be published in the official newspaper of the Township. That publication shall state that a regulation has been promulgated by the Police Chief of the Township of Montville pursuant to the authority of the Montville Township tower chapter and state specifically that a copy of the regulation is on file in the Montville Township Municipal Clerk's office and, unless an emergency situation arises, any such rule or regulation promulgated by the Chief of Police shall not become effective until 10 days after the date of publication in the newspaper.
The licensee must make himself available during normal business hours, or his designee authorized to act on his behalf, to handle complaints, make adjustments and transact business communications.
Documentation. Every licensee shall furnish, at its expense, the owner of a disabled vehicle with a copy of towing and storage rates as provided in this chapter. The regulations and fee schedules of licensees shall be made available to the public during the normal business hours of the municipality.
An applicant for a license under this chapter, as well as any licensee, has the right to file an administrative appeal of any action taken or ruling made by the Police Chief in the administration of this chapter. The appeal must be filed in writing with the Township Administrator within 10 calendar days of the Police Chief's decision. A hearing is to be held within 15 days of the filing of the appeal and a written ruling from the Township Administrator shall be the final administrative decision rendered on any appeal filed pursuant to this chapter.
The Township of Montville believes there will be occasions that require the licensee to provide services to Township-owned vehicles. The licensee shall charge the Township according to the service rates delineated in § 358-13 for performing these services. This municipal expenditure is subject to municipal budgeting law. The service shall include, but not be limited to, jump starts and change of flat tires of Township vehicles.
Only licensed towers of the Township of Montville are subject to the terms of this chapter. When the owner or driver of a disabled vehicle indicates a choice of a specific wrecker owner who is not licensed by the Township pursuant to this chapter, that wrecker shall be called to the scene at the discretion of the police officer on the scene based on his/her consideration of the public safety and the need to clear the scene. If any such wrecker is called to the scene, this chapter does not apply to that wrecker's activities.
Any licensee who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to such penalties as are provided for in Chapter 1, Article III, General Penalty.
Notwithstanding the above penalty provisions, it is expressly ordained that in addition to any fines, the following suspension and revocation schedule is to be applied to the licenses of the licensee, together with all associated wrecker licenses, found to have violated the provisions of this chapter by charging and collecting service rates in excess of those set forth in § 358-13.
Ninety-day license suspension of any licenses issued under this chapter for a first offense.
One-hundred-eighty-day license suspension for a second offense.
Permanent revocation of any licenses issued under this chapter for a third offense.

References: § 358

§ 358

§ 358

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§ 358

§ 358

§ 358

§ 358

§ 358

§ 358

§ 358
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 § 358