Source: https://ecode360.com/9391658
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 14:22:45+00:00

Document:
§ 349-3 Enforcement; license required.
§ 349-4 Application for license; affidavit; maximum number of licenses.
§ 349-6 Investigation and inspection; approval or denial of application.
§ 349-7 Standards for approval and classification of application.
§ 349-8 Hours of service; radio equipment and pager required; office.
§ 349-9 Other requirements and duties.
§ 349-10 Classification standards for wreckers; number of trucks.
§ 349-11 Issuance of license.
§ 349-14 Suspension or revocation of license; hearing.
§ 349-15 Protection and storage of towed vehicles.
§ 349-16 Required insurance policies.
§ 349-17 Register of wreckers; identification cards; driving record.
§ 349-18 Issuance of information sheet.
§ 349-19 Service rates; written notice of fee.
§ 349-20 Crane service; written notice of fee.
§ 349-21 Conduct of licensees and operators.
§ 349-22 Record book to be kept.
§ 349-23 Rotating call list.
§ 349-24 Authority of Chief of Police.
§ 349-25 Towing of Township vehicles.
§ 349-27 Response time; missed calls.
§ 349-28 Public access to fee schedules.
§ 349-29 Violations and penalties.
Unregistered vehicles — See Ch. 377.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Ewing Township Towing Ordinance."
An automobile owned by a farm family copartnership or corporation which is principally garaged on a farm or ranch and which is not regularly used in any occupation, profession or business other than farming or ranching.
When used in this chapter to describe a motor vehicle, "disabled" shall mean any motor vehicle which requires removal by a tow vehicle, including but not limited to motor vehicles damaged in an accident, recovered after theft, abandoned motor vehicles and motor vehicles which require towing service by order of the Police Department due to being unregistered, uninsured, or whose operators are unable to safely operate the motor vehicle or are operating the motor vehicle in violation of the law of any state or political subdivision thereof or federal law.
A building where automobiles are sheltered, stored, repaired and made ready for use, and it is specifically intended not to include within the meaning of this definition a gasoline service station used principally for furnishing gasoline, oil, lubrication service and minor services for automobiles.
An occurrence in which a private passenger automobile comes in contact with any other object for which the private passenger automobile must be towed or removed for placement in a storage facility. This includes all situations which are accidental as to the vehicle owner even if they were caused by the intentional acts of a perpetrator where the perpetrator was not the vehicle owner or not otherwise involved with the vehicle owner.
An automobile storage facility that is not indoors and is in an area protected by lighting from dusk to dawn and secured by chain link fencing that is at least six feet in height. A stockade fence in good repair may be used as an alternative.
Includes corporations, companies, associations, societies, firms, partnerships and joint-stock companies, as well as individuals, and also includes all political subdivisions of this state or any agencies or instrumentalities thereof.
A tower summoned by the Township of Ewing to pick up disabled vehicles other than a tower requested by the vehicle owner.
Only those vehicles equipped with a boom or booms, winches, slings, tilt beds, wheel lifts or underreach equipment specifically designed by its manufacturer for the removal or transport of private passenger automobiles.
A vehicle driven by mechanical power and employed for the purpose of towing, transporting, conveying or removing any and all kinds of vehicles 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.
The Township of Ewing Police Department is hereby designated as the municipal agency in charge of enforcing the provisions of this chapter in accordance with due process of law, as required by N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.49(c). No person shall be authorized to be a Township tower without first obtaining a license from the Department.
The name, home address and proposed or actual business address of the applicant and whether the applicant is owner, lessee or bailee.
The location, description and hourly availability of the wreckers owned or operated by the applicant.
That the applicant has available space for properly accommodating and protecting all disabled motor vehicles to be towed or otherwise removed from the place where they are disabled, and that the disabled 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.
A description of the vehicle for which the license is desired, including year, make, model, type, serial number of body and motor capacity, length of time the vehicle has been in use, and any other information which the Chief of Police shall deem necessary or proper to effectuate the purpose of this chapter and to determine whether the terms of this chapter have been complied with.
That the applicant is an equal opportunity employer.
The application shall have affixed thereto an affidavit by the applicant that all of the information given in the application is true and correct, and said application shall be submitted to the Department.
There shall not be issued and outstanding at any one time in the Township more than a total of six licenses (in any combination) for light-duty wreckers or heavy-duty wreckers, and at any time that such maximum number is outstanding, the Municipal Clerk shall not accept applications for such licenses.
An application for license shall be accompanied by the fee set forth in Chapter 172 of this Code. Said fee is on account of administrative expenses and is not refundable in the event that an inspection of the vehicle 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 promulgated under this chapter by the Chief of Police.
Within seven days after receipt of an application by the Municipal Clerk as provided for herein, the Chief of Police or designee or authorized agent of the Chief shall cause an investigation to be made of the applicant and of the proposed business operation and shall make or have made an inspection of the vehicle to be licensed. The Chief of Police or designee or authorized agent of the Chief may delegate the inspection of the vehicle to an independent person, not engaged in business in the Township, who shall be qualified by experience and training to make such inspection. Said person shall report to the Chief of Police or designee or authorized agent of the Chief whether the applicant complies with the requirements and standards of this chapter. All references to the Chief of Police shall include a designee or an authorized agent of the Chief.
Upon completion of the investigation and inspection, the Department shall either refuse to approve the application or shall approve the application and classify the wrecker as either "light-duty" or "heavy-duty" in accordance with the standards given herein and shall inform the applicant of the decision. If the application is approved, the applicant shall supply the Department with the insurance policies or certificates as specified in § 349-16. Upon receipt of said policies or certificates, the Department shall make appropriate notation on the application.
That the public convenience and necessity will be served by the use of the vehicle for which the application has been made.
That the applicant and proposed operators are fit persons to operate and conduct a wrecker service in the Township. This shall include but not be limited to satisfactory background check by the Department and satisfactory Better Business Service Bureau report.
That the vehicle has been properly licensed and inspected by the State of New Jersey and has the necessary stickers affixed thereto. No vehicle shall be licensed as a wrecker which is using dealer's license plates or which has failed the state inspection.
That the wreckers to be used, on inspection, meet with the required minimum standards for light-duty or heavy-duty wrecker, as applicable.
Towing services and dispatching must be provided on a twenty-four-hour, seven-days-per-week basis. All wreckers must be radio-equipped with a public service band frequency or be equipped with a cellular or mobile telephone or a pager to facilitate prompt response. A citizens band radio shall not be considered adequate for communication purposes.
The storage facility must provide a minimum of eight hours per day, which shall be between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and a minimum of five days per week (Monday through Friday) for the reclaiming of towed vehicles. This requirement shall only apply to the period during which a Township tower is on call and the thirty-day period thereafter.
All licensees must possess a pager compatible with the Township system.
All licensees must maintain an office with regular business hours. The office shall be open a minimum of eight hours a day, five days a week. The schedule of hours shall be filed with the Department. Any change or amendment to the schedule of hours shall be filed with the Department within five days of the change.
All licensee's trucks shall be equipped with brooms and shovels for the purpose of clearing debris off roadways. A licensee shall remove all debris from an accident scene, which will include sweeping the roadway and removing all broken glass, plastic and other parts. This will be done at no charge to the Township.
All licensees shall have telephone equipment at their place of business that is able to handle more than one incoming call.
A licensee shall immediately dispatch tow trucks when requested to respond to an emergency situation.
A licensee shall not permit a vehicle to be removed without proper authorization.
A licensee shall request police assistance during the course of servicing when the licensee finds it necessary to turn around, back up, tow in the opposite direction, cross the median or other hazardous situation.
A licensee shall have the capability of removing locked vehicles (included locked steering column) and abandoned vehicles without wheels.
A licensee shall use at a minimum the vehicle manufacturer's suggested towing or removal method.
Neither a Township tower nor its employees are, or should be deemed to be, employed by or representatives of the Township.
Power take-off-controlled winch with a minimum cable thickness of 1/2 inch or equivalent.
A three-hundred-sixty-degree rotating amber beacon light mounted over the cab.
All lights shall be of such candlepower and intensity as to be visible 1/4 mile away or shall be equal to the candlepower of the lights on Township police vehicles.
Licensees shall own at least one flatbed truck for the removal of vehicles from roadways. A flatbed truck will be used when, in the opinion of the tower and the police officer on the scene, to tow the vehicle by conventional means would result in further damage.
Manufacturer rating. Gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds. Manufacturer rating may be obtained from the factory where the truck originates. Other written evidence of gross vehicle weight may be accepted by the Township, if verified.
Power take-off-controlled winch with a minimum cable thickness of 5/8 inch.
All lights shall be of such candlepower and intensity as to be visible for 1/4 of a mile or shall be equal to the candlepower of the lights on a Township police vehicle.
Connecting air lines for connection with the air compressor and air brake lines of the towed vehicle.
Two-speed rear axle and differential or dual transmission or five-speed transmission.
Light-duty towing: one truck and one flatbed, in addition to other equipment which is necessary to provide safe and efficient towing. Each tow vehicle must have the name and telephone number of the licensee on the side of the vehicle.
Heavy-duty towing: one truck, in addition to other equipment which is necessary to provide safe and efficient towing. Each tow vehicle must have the name and telephone number of the licensee on the side of the vehicle.
Upon approval of an application and classification, and upon the payment of the license fee designated in § 349-12, the Municipal Clerk shall issue a license, designated "light-duty" or "heavy-duty." A license shall be nontransferable.
The license fees shall be as set forth in Chapter 172 of this Code. The required license fees are on account of administrative expenses. The full amount due shall be payable before the issuance of the license.
The license period shall be for a one-year period of time commencing the first day of March of each year. No licenses shall be issued between March 2 and the last day of February, unless an outstanding license is canceled in accordance with this chapter and the Department elects to issue a license in its stead between March 2 and the last day of February. In such a case, the license fee shall be prorated.
In accordance with § 349-28B of this chapter, the Township, through the Chief of Police, reserves the right to suspend or revoke any license for cause upon 30 days written notice. However, if deemed necessary by the Chief, the Chief may immediately suspend a license pending the outcome of a hearing; in such cases, the hearing shall be before the Chief upon five days' written notice. At the hearing, the licensee must show good cause why the license should not be revoked. If the license is revoked, the licensee will not have the opportunity to be reinstated until the term of the license expires and will not be entitled to any refund of any portion of any application or license fee paid.
A tower shall be responsible for any damage occurring to a vehicle after the tower has taken possession and until the owner or the owner's representative reassumes possession.
The tower shall carry insurance in the amounts specified in § 349-16.
All vehicles must be "indoor secured" or "outdoor secured" as defined herein.
The storage facility must be of sufficient size to accommodate at least 30 vehicles. The storage area must contain at least 4,000 square feet.
No satellite yards may be used to meet the requirements for storage.
All vehicles towed by the licensee must be stored at the approved storage yard or facility.
All yards must meet current zoning standards and comply with current municipal ordinances and state laws. This includes the licensee's office and attached property.
It is recognized by the Township that the licensee's yard is utilized for purposes other than the needs of the Township. However, the licensee will be required to keep available enough space to meet the prescribed license requirements.
The licensee must deposit with the Municipal Clerk the following insurance policies or certificates of insurance, specifically naming the Township of Ewing as an additional insured party and with prepaid coverage spanning at least the entire license term.
Garage keeper's policy. A garage liability policy covering fire, theft, collision and explosion in not less than the amount of $60,000 combined single limit per vehicle towed.
Garage liability policy. A garage liability policy covering the operation of the licensee's equipment or vehicles for any bodily injury or property damage, in not less than the amount of $500,000 combined single limit.
The above policies shall be specifically endorsed to provide collision coverage for vehicles in tow.
Worker's compensation coverage as required by the statutes of the State of New Jersey, as amended from time to time.
Each policy required herein shall contain an endorsement providing that ten days' notice shall be given to the Municipal Clerk in the event of any material change or cancellation for any cause.
In the event that any policy is changed so as to fail to conform with the above requirements, or if any policy on any wrecker is canceled for any reason, the Township shall notify the person responsible for the policy, and it shall be corrected or reinstated or replaced with a conforming policy within 10 days after the notice is received, and before the date of cancellation, or the Township shall immediately suspend the licensee's license and shall retrieve from the owner all indicia of license, including any stickers, cards, medallions or other means of identification.
Any insurer must be authorized to do business in New Jersey and be acceptable to the Township.
The Chief of Police or designee or authorized agent of the Chief shall keep a register of the names of all those owning or operating a licensee's wreckers, together with the license number and the description of such wreckers and the date and complete record of inspection made of them.
All drivers must obtain police identification cards and maintain a safe driving record.
Each licensee shall issue to each person requiring towing services an information sheet in such form as may be set by the Department and providing notice of the service rates and conditions of engagement under which the wrecker is operating and a notice that, in case of any complaint by the person requiring towing, the Chief of Police shall be notified with the license number of the wrecker to be given.
For purposes of this section, storage charges "per twenty-four-hour period" means the maximum allowable amount to be charged by a storage facility for a twenty-four-hour period or fraction thereof, which period commences with the time of the initial tow and runs for consecutive twenty-four-hour periods thereafter.
Basic towing service fees (first hour, additional time prorated at one-fourth-hour intervals).
Day (between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.).
Light-duty (DOT Class 1 and 2): $75.
Medium-duty (DOT Class 3, 4, 5 and 6): $125.
Heavy-duty (DOT Class 7 and 8): $225.
Night (between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.).
Light-duty (DOT Class 1 and 2): $85.
Medium-duty (DOT Class 3, 4, 5 and 6): $130.
Heavy-duty (DOT Class 7 and 8): $230.
For conveying a passenger vehicle to other than the tower's facility (e.g., owner's home, another garage), an additional fee of $2 per mile may be charged for all distances in excess of five miles for that portion of the distance in excess of five miles. All other vehicles, other than passenger vehicles, shall be at an additional fee to be negotiated between the tower and the owner for all distances in excess of five miles for that portion of the distance in excess of five miles.
Recovery and/or winching service fees (first hour; additional time prorated at one-fourth-hour intervals).
Heavy-duty (DOT Class 7 and 8): price to be negotiated between owner and operator.
When basic towing services are rendered pursuant to this section, there shall be no additional charges other than those provided for herein, including, but not limited to, flatbedding, winching, cleanup costs and additional labor.
For any vehicle that is rolled over, any extra charge shall be negotiated between the driver of the vehicle and the licensee. This is in addition to the prescribed rates for the actual towing of the vehicle.
Storage (per twenty-four-hour period as defined above).
Class 1 and 2: $25.
Class 3, 4, 5 and 6: $40.
Class 1 and 2: $45.
Class 3, 4, 5 and 6: $85.
Vehicle yard removal fee: $25.
Administrative fee (includes all correspondence or contact with insurance companies, owners, salvage companies, etc.): $5 per contact not to exceed $25 total.
Cleanup fee (includes sweeping the road and removal of vehicle parts from motor vehicle accident scenes): $25.
Cleanup materials/speedy-dry fee: $10 per bag.
For conveying vehicles from a point within the Township to a point outside the Township, or vice versa, the rate is to be predetermined by mutual agreement.
Light-duty wrecker (includes flatbed truck): $15 per hour.
Heavy-duty wrecker: $20 per hour.
Waiting charges shall not begin until 1/2 hour after the arrival of the wrecker at the scene and shall be prorated into quarter hours and must be acknowledged in writing by the police officer at the scene.
Every operator of a wrecker shall give the driver of the vehicle being towed a written notice listing the fee to be paid and the name and address of the tower. A copy of this notice shall be given to the police officer in charge or to the Chief of Police if no officer is present. If the driver is not available, the operator shall give the officer in charge or the Chief of Police two copies of the notice. The form of this notice must be approved by the Chief and will be printed at the expense of the tower. All disputes as to fares shall be determined by the Chief of Police. The police officer at the scene shall report any disputes to the Chief.
Every Township tower shall provide public posting of charges at its storage area.
Every Township tower, when requested by the Police Department, shall perform an inspection of the motor vehicle and provide a report to the Police Department as to the condition of such motor vehicle at no charge to the Township or to the owner or operator of the disabled motor vehicle.
There shall be an extra charge for crane service, to be determined by mutual agreement of the licensee and owner and/or driver of the disabled vehicle or that person's representative.
Every operator of a wrecker shall give the driver a written notice listing the fee to be paid and the name and address of the tower. A copy of this notice shall be given to the police officer in charge or to the Chief of Police if no officer is present. The form of this notice must be approved by the Chief and will be printed at the expense of the tower. All disputes as to fares shall be determined by the Chief of Police. The police officer at the scene shall report any disputes to the Chief.
While waiting for engagement, stand at any public street, intersection or public property without first obtaining the consent of the owner of the property.
Seek engagement by repeatedly and persistently driving a wrecker to and from in a short space in front of any disabled vehicle or by otherwise interfering with the proper and orderly progress of traffic along the public highways.
Permit or invite loitering within or near a wrecker.
Solicit, demand or receive from any person any pay, commission or emolument whatever except the proper fee for transporting the disabled vehicle in accordance with the schedule of service rates listed in this chapter.
Solicit or attempt to divert prospective patrons of another wrecker or solicit or divert prospective patrons of a given garage in the Township to any other garage.
Intercept police calls by shortwave radio or obtain information as to location of the scene of an accident or disabled vehicle by means of interception of police radio calls.
No person shall respond to the scene of a disabled vehicle, except upon notification by the Department, for information as to the location of any accident or for soliciting the engagement of the person's services, nor give any gratuities, fees or other compensation or gifts to any member of the Police Department.
Every person licensed hereunder shall record in a book kept solely for such purpose the details of each disabled vehicle towed, serviced or transported, together with full information concerning the details surrounding the hiring, the names of the owners of the towed vehicle and of the patron engaging the licensee and the charges paid for the licensee's services. The record book herein described shall be kept open for inspection at all times by any duly authorized representative of the Township. Such records must be retained for a minimum period of five years.
Licensees performing towing service for the Township or called by a police officer shall perform on a rotating basis. The rotating system is to be used in the assignment of wreckers when the owner or driver of a disabled vehicle declares no preference or is unable to indicate any specific choice of a wrecker to remove the vehicle. No person shall respond to the scene of a disabled vehicle except upon notification by the officer in charge in Police Headquarters or upon request of the driver or owner of the disabled vehicle.
The Police Department shall call for towing services when necessary. The Police Department shall call Township towers in a sequential rotation of one month or so that every Township tower is given an equal opportunity to provide towing services. Each rotation period shall commence on the first day and end on the last day of the relevant month. The Police Department shall give each tower at least seven days' notice of its turn in the sequential rotation.
Such additional rules and regulations regarding the rotation of wreckers as may be promulgated hereunder by the Chief of Police shall take effect immediately after service of a copy thereof on holders of all appropriate licenses for wreckers in the Township, which service may be made by addressing same to said licensees by ordinary mail at their last known address. If, pursuant to the rules and regulations for rotation of wreckers adopted under this chapter, the 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.
In the establishment of a rotation system of assignment of wreckers, separate lists shall be set up for light-duty wreckers and heavy-duty wreckers. The assignment of a call from the heavy-duty list of a heavy-duty wrecker shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, the rights of said heavy-duty wrecker owner to participate, on a rotating basis, in the light-duty call list.
The Chief of Police shall establish reasonable rules and regulations for the inspection and operation of wreckers and for the design, construction, maintenance and condition of fitness for the safe conduct of the wrecker service business in accordance with the standards herein. The licensee shall maintain wreckers in a condition of safety for the transportation and hauling of disabled vehicles. The Chief shall have the right at all times to inspect all such licensed wreckers and shall maintain a record, in writing, of the report of all such inspections. If at any time the Chief of Police shall deem the equipment inadequate or unsafe, the Chief shall have the power to demand immediate correction and, if not corrected to the full satisfaction of the Chief, shall then have the power to revoke or suspend the license after a hearing upon the nature and circumstances of the violation.
Any Township vehicle, whether located on or off the road, will be towed free of charge.
All vehicles found by the Ewing Township Police Department to be abandoned shall be towed to the licensee's storage facility. These vehicles will be towed at the rate of $25 for passenger vehicles and pickup trucks and $35 for all other vehicles. No such expense shall be the responsibility of the Township. Proceeds from the sale of abandoned vehicles shall be used to satisfy any towing or storage charges which may have accumulated for the vehicle. Excess proceeds shall be paid to the Township. If the proceeds are insufficient to cover the accumulated costs, such excess cost shall be waived by the licensee and no further funds will be due from the Township or the purchaser of the vehicle.
Licensees shall respond to a vehicle within 15 minutes after being notified of a necessary service call unless a longer response time is approved by the Police Department.
If the tower on call is dispatched for towing service and arrives on the scene of the accident within the specified response time, that tower shall be given the tow or paid the towing fee by the citizen, regardless of whether or not the citizen subsequently requests that another tower be dispatched.
The police shall make available for public inspection in the Municipal Clerk's office all fee schedules of Township towers and all regulations applicable to towing, during normal business hours of the Township, as required by N.J.S.A. 40:482.49(d).
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than provided in Chapter 1, Article III, General Penalty.
In addition to the penalty provided in Subsection A of this section, the Chief of Police, after notice and hearing, may revoke or suspend any license issued hereunder or may refuse to renew any license previously issued for violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or of any of the rules and regulations duly promulgated by the Department or for violation of the provisions of any federal or state law or any local ordinance, including but not limited to the Code of the Township of Ewing.
If the licensee cannot, at any time, meet any provisions of these specifications, the licensee shall inform the Chief of Police in writing. If in the opinion of the Chief of Police the licensee's failure to meet these specifications was the fault of the licensee, the Chief of Police shall take appropriate action under this section or any other applicable provision of this chapter.

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