[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Old Bridge 9-9-2002 by Ord. No. 42-02 (Sec. 5-13 of the 1973 Revised General Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Abandoned vehicles — See Ch. 463.
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 I VEHICLE
All vehicles 0 to 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
CATEGORY II VEHICLE
All vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
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.
A. 
The following fees, per wrecker, shall be paid annually by license applicants in order to obtain a license. Two stickers, designed and supplied by the Township, are to be placed upon each of the licensed vehicles (one each side) indicating the tow/recovery vehicle is authorized for use in Old Bridge Township. No unlicensed wreckers are to be used for towing for Old Bridge Township.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(1) 
Light-duty: $100.
(2) 
Medium-duty: $150.
(3) 
Heavy-duty: $200.
(4) 
Heavy-duty recovery: $200.
B. 
License applicants shall be charged a prorated license fee for a license issued for a partial license term.
C. 
License fees shall be nonrefundable for any reason.
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.
[4] 
Assortment of tools.
[5] 
Flashlight.
[6] 
Fire extinguisher: with a rating of 5 BC.
[Amended 2-14-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-01]
[7] 
First aid kit.
[8] 
Broom and shovel.
[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.
[14] 
Lug wrench and jack.
[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.
[2] 
Dual rear wheels.
[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.
[9] 
Angle iron.
[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.
[3] 
Air brakes.
[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.
[11] 
Angle iron.
[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.
[4] 
Air brakes.
[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.
[17] 
Angle iron.
[18] 
Tow light bar or magnetic tow lights.
[19] 
T-bolts/maxi release pins.
[20] 
Hydraulic bottle jack.
(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.
[5] 
One fork lift.
[6] 
One pallet jack.
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]
A. 
All licensees shall comply with the following requirements of conduct and performance:
(1) 
Signs in view of the public shall be posted at storage facilities which contain the licensee's license number, business name, phone number, hours of operation and towing fee schedule as outlined in this chapter in its entirety. Such signs shall be at least two feet by two feet in size.
(2) 
Outdoor storage areas must be able to be entirely lit from dusk through dawn and must be entirely enclosed and secured by a sturdy fence at least eight feet in height, unless any statute or regulation requires otherwise. Storage areas shall be kept clean so as to be reasonably accommodating to persons who may come upon said premises.
(3) 
Licensees shall not store towed vehicles on top of one another, shall not park any said vehicles on public roadways or sidewalks, nor shall licensees block any public roadways or sidewalks with towed vehicles.
(4) 
Employees of licensees must be registered with the Old Bridge Police Department prior to performing any services for licensees. Any change of employees shall be updated within 24 hours in order to keep current with changes in personnel. All employees having contact with a vehicle towed by the Old Bridge Township Police Department or the vehicle owner must submit to a criminal history check. The licensee is responsible for any costs associated with both theirs' and their employee's criminal history check(s). Drivers must not have received a criminal conviction for any indictable offense or any offense involving stolen or embezzled vehicles, fraud relating to the towing business, stolen property, or any offense of similar nature. A copy of the criminal history results for all licensees and/or employees must be submitted to the Old Bridge Township Police Department prior to the licensee and/or employees conducting towing operations for the Old Bridge Township Police Department. Licensees are required to notify the Old Bridge Township Police Department of any change in the criminal history of the licensee and/or employee(s) immediately.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(5) 
Licensees and/or their employees must possess a valid New Jersey driver's license appropriate for the equipment they are driving/operating.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(6) 
Licensees and/or their employees shall be fully trained and knowledgeable in the operation of all required equipment.
(7) 
Licensees and/or their employees must be equipped with and trained in the basic tools necessary to perform minor roadside repairs.
(8) 
Licensees and/or their employees must be equipped with and trained in the necessary tools and equipment to perform all facets of the safe and efficient removal of all types of motor vehicles under this chapter regardless of the physical condition of the vehicle.
(9) 
Licensees are responsible for the removal of all debris from an accident scene, which includes sweeping the roadway. Licensees and/or their employees must be equipped with and trained in the necessary equipment needed to completely remove, and must remove, all nonhazardous debris from the scene of the accident. Debris must be placed in a container or bag. Any minor fluid spills will be picked up by the wrecker operator and may be put out in the regular trash after 24 hours.
(10) 
Licensees and their employees must wear New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) approved reflective safety vests when engaged in the towing or repair of motor vehicles while on public roadways.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(11) 
Licensees and their employees must follow the directions of law enforcement personnel.
(12) 
Licensees and their employees are expected to always act in a professional manner and at all times to be courteous and respectful towards members of the public. Licensees and their employees shall not represent to any member of the public that they are employees of the Township of Old Bridge.
(13) 
Licensees shall not engage in cruising.
(14) 
Licensees shall be responsible for all vehicles and contents in their custody that were towed off the roadway under the direction of the police.
(15) 
Licensees and their employees shall preserve evidence needed for potential criminal and civil cases at the direction of law enforcement personnel. Vehicles involved in criminal matters which are impounded and stored in a licensee's storage area shall not be removed from such storage area until written permission is obtained from the Old Bridge Police Department.
(16) 
Licensees shall notify the Old Bridge Police Department on a monthly basis if they are in custody of any unclaimed vehicles. The Police Department will file for titles of abandoned motor vehicles left on a licensee's premises. Any licensee failing to notify the Old Bridge Police Department within 30 days that a vehicle has been abandoned shall forfeit storage fees for any days in excess of 30 days such vehicle is stored.
(17) 
Licensees and their employees shall cooperate with other licensees and their drivers in the case of emergency services at the scene of accidents and/or disasters.
(18) 
Licensees will dispatch, within the time permitted by this chapter, wreckers, when requested by the desk officer, to respond to a police request for service.
(19) 
Wreckers shall be maintained and operated in a safe and prudent manner and in accordance with all existing traffic regulations.
(20) 
Licensees shall maintain an accurate file of all vehicles towed. Such files shall be maintained for three years.
(21) 
Licensees must maintain an accurate inventory of all towed vehicles stored in their impound sites.
(22) 
Licensees must maintain a record of all property found anywhere in a towed vehicle, including trunk and glove compartment, if open. If a key is available, they shall be responsible for the safeguard and release of the contents to the owner.
(23) 
Authorized representatives of the Old Bridge Police Department or their designees shall have access to any of the records required to be kept by licensees.
(24) 
Licensees, upon receiving a vehicle and ownership information relating thereto, shall immediately contact the owner of the vehicle by telephone and/or in writing, and within 48 hours, to inform the owner that:
(a) 
The licensee is in possession of the vehicle;
(b) 
The costs the owner has incurred;
(c) 
The procedure for obtaining a release of the vehicle;
(d) 
The consequences for failure to retrieve the vehicle within the proper time frame.
(25) 
Licensees must maintain accurate records of owner notifications and attempted notifications.
(26) 
Licensees must not release any impounded vehicle from an impound site unless it is authorized by the Old Bridge Police Department.
(27) 
Licensees must follow the proper procedures and directions of all applicable laws for the disposal of vehicles not retrieved by the owner. Any vehicles which are not released according to proper procedure shall be reported to the Old Bridge Police Department.
(28) 
Licensees shall be responsible for any vehicle and the contents thereof after receiving said vehicle in their custody and control, and shall reimburse the owner of such vehicle removed for any such damage or loss sustained to any vehicle while in the towing service company's custody and control.
(29) 
Licensees shall not make any repairs to any vehicle towed or removed as provided for hereunder without first receiving written authorization of the owner thereof or its authorized agent.
(30) 
Licensees shall use, at a minimum, the manufacturer's suggested towing or removal method for removal of damaged or impounded passenger cars or light vehicles, including pickup trucks, minivans, motorcycles and vans.
(31) 
Storage facilities must be in compliance with all applicable codes and municipal ordinances and must be zoned for all of the uses for which they are, or will be, dedicated.
(32) 
All storage facilities must satisfy all licensing requirements promulgated by the State of New Jersey and the municipality regarding all aspects of their use, and/or intended use, including but not limited to the towing, storage, repair and sale of motor vehicles.
(33) 
No licensee shall charge fees in excess of the maximum fees set forth in this chapter.
(34) 
All licensees shall maintain the insurance coverage required by the article.
(35) 
A licensee may only use another licensee to take a call after regular hours and on holidays and weekends; the towed vehicle must be towed to the original assigned licensee's facility immediately. Both the original assigned licensee and the replacement licensee will be held liable for any infractions. The original assigned licensee will be charged for the call. Licensees shall make all requests for replacement wreckers or for additional wreckers at the scene of an accident through the Old Bridge Police Department.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(36) 
Licensees shall make their storage facilities open to the public Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
(37) 
Licensees must post the fee schedule contained in this chapter in its entirety on each wrecker in easy view of the public. The fee schedule signs for wreckers will be purchased at the wrecker operator's expense through the Old Bridge Police Department.
(38) 
Licensees shall fill out an abandoned vehicle form and bring it to the Old Bridge Police Department on the 31st day of holding a vehicle. If the vehicle is sold at a public auction, the minimum bid will be the cost of the tow and storage fees unless a lower bid is authorized by the licensee.
(39) 
All licensees must have a phone number where they can be reached 24 hours a day to take calls for police-requested towing and service. Such phone number may not be a beeper number.
(40) 
There will be at least one yearly meeting between all licensees and the Old Bridge Police Department. All licensees will have at least one representative present.
(41) 
If a licensee fails to respond to a towing or service call in a timely manner, the next licensee on the appropriate list shall be called to handle the call. A wrecker which arrives at the site of a towing or service call after the time to respond has expired shall not be allowed to handle that call in the event a second licensee has already been called to handle the towing or service call.
(42) 
A licensee shall only store towed vehicles at the licensee's storage facility unless advised otherwise by the Old Bridge Police Department.
(43) 
Licensees may not transfer a license issued pursuant to this chapter under any circumstances.
(44) 
All towing equipment utilized by licensees shall be in compliance with state, federal and local laws and shall be inspected by the Old Bridge Police Department at least twice annually. A licensee's business towing records and equipment are subject to random inspection at any time. Any refusal by a licensee and/or employee to submit to any such inspection will be considered grounds for immediate suspension from the towing list.
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
[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.
(c) 
(Reserved)
(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]
(a) 
Jump starts: $85.
(b) 
Tire changes: $85.
(c) 
Fuel: $85 plus cost of fuel.
(7) 
Additional charges, Class III vehicles:
[Amended 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(a) 
Air line: $35.
(b) 
Removal of bumper: $35.
(c) 
Use of wheel lift: $35.
(d) 
Brake release, per axle: $35.
(8) 
(Reserved)[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection C(8), which further explained additional Category II vehicle charges and required justification of additional charges, was repealed 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07.
(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.
(9) 
Rollers: $150 flat rate.
(10) 
Any other specialized equipment: $200 per hour.
(11) 
Loader, backhoe, bulldozer, bobcat: $250 per hour.
(12) 
Forklift: $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]
(1) 
Fuel surcharge: 10%.
(2) 
Tarping/wrapping.
(a) 
Class I vehicles: $65.
(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]
A. 
The Police Chief or his designee may suspend or revoke the license of any licensee if the licensee fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter.
B. 
The Chief of Police or his designee shall hold a hearing prior to suspending or revoking any license, except that the Chief of Police or his designee may order an immediate temporary licensee suspension in the interest of public health safety and welfare. Licensees shall be given notice of the hearing at least five business days prior to the hearing date. Licensees shall be entitled to a hearing within five business days of any temporary suspension to determine whether any further action is necessary.
(1) 
Suspension schedule.
[Added 3-2-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-07]
(a) 
First offense: seven days.
(b) 
Second offense: 14 days.
(c) 
Third offense: 28 days.
(d) 
Fourth offense: 56 days or until end of calendar year (whichever is longer).
(e) 
Revocation of license and denial of licensee to renew.
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.