(A) Generally.
(1) At the time of tow, each tower licensed shall be responsible for providing a three inch by five inch pre-printed card identifying the towing company's name, address, storage location, hours of operation for pickup, phone number and rates for towing and storage according to the terms of this chapter. Said card shall be presented and explained to the owner or occupant of the vehicle on scene or, in the alternative when the owner or occupant is absent or not physically or mentally capable of receiving the card, provided to the officer requesting tow for inclusion in the police report.
(2) Towing and storing charges and fees shall be in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.50 as well as the provisions of this chapter. Except as otherwise provided herein, the charge and fee for towing and storage of vehicles within the Township of Voorhees shall be in accordance with the provisions of the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Department of Insurance. The Township shall not be responsible for the collection or payment of any charges for the towing or storage of vehicles. The charges and fees and rates applicable to services performed pursuant to this chapter shall be posted in a conspicuous place visible to the public at the tower's storage area and shall be posted on each and every vehicle. The tower shall prepare a bill for charges pertaining to each vehicle and present the same to the claimant of a vehicle. The bill shall be itemized in detail as to the actual services rendered and shall contain a statement that the claimant may complain with respect thereto to the Township. The Township will not be responsible for charges due and owing from a claimant of a vehicle. The Township shall not be responsible for the collection or payment of any charges for the towing or storage of vehicles. Vehicles impounded as a result of police investigations involving stolen vehicles or fatal/serious/suspicious accidents will not result in storage charges, however the Township reserves the right to store such vehicles at a location of its choosing. The police may release vehicle from investigation and make it available for pickup. The tower shall be able to charge storage from this point forward. Said location will include inside storage, lock down measures, full access accountability and 24, seven access by the Police Department.
(3) In the event the Township conducts an auction of unclaimed abandoned vehicles pursuant to N.J.S.A. Title 39, the tower's bill for towing and storage shall be an expense of possession and sale and shall be paid from the proceeds of such auction. Each vehicle auctioned shall be a separate item for purposes of this division. The title fee for which the Township must pay the State of New Jersey for title certificates shall be paid by the purchaser at the auction even if the tower is the purchaser and shall be in addition to the bid price of each vehicle. In the event the Township determines to utilize the provisions of N.J.S.A. Title 39 with respect to unclaimed vehicles, the tower shall receive no compensation for its services.
(4) The fee for towing a vehicle shall include the service rendered from the scene where the vehicle is located to the storage area and from the storage area to the curb-line of the property on which is located the storage area. The charge for towing includes any incidental and related costs such as connecting and reconnecting a transmission, drive line or axle. There shall be no additional charges for any other services, including but not limited to waiting time, cleanup costs and additional labor when the towing services as defined herein are provided, except as otherwise provided herein. The tower may charge a fee for a vehicle lockout service, i.e., when a tower responds and opens a locked vehicle when the owner/operator has locked the keys in the vehicle or is otherwise unable to open the vehicle.
(B) Charges and fees. The charges, fees and rates for vehicles to be towed and stored shall be categorized in the following manner. There will be no mileage charge for vehicles towed.
(1) Refer to Schedule A of Appendix A for towing service charges - flat fee.
(2) Refer to Schedule B of Appendix A for winching service charges - per each half-hour of winching.
(3) Refer to Schedule C of Appendix A for administrative, storage and general charges.
(4) Refer to Schedule D of Appendix A for miscellaneous charges.
(C) Specialized equipment. In cases where the tower must hire laborers or rent or utilize specialized equipment not specified in this chapter, all reasonable charges therefore shall be paid by the owner of the vehicle, after the owner of the vehicle or his or her agent has given his or her prior written consent thereto. The consent requirement may be waived when the Chief of Police deems the vehicle to be a hazard to health or safety, whereupon the vehicle will be removed by the direction of the Chief of Police, with the owner then being responsible for all personnel, equipment and labor costs. The necessity for specialized equipment shall be determined by the Chief of Police.
(D) Unloading of goods. In the event that it is necessary to unload a vehicle which has been used for transportation of goods prior to or after towing, an agreement shall be reached between the tower and the owner of the vehicle or the owner's agent or representative as to the charge for said service. No written agreement is necessary in an emergency situation, and the Chief of Police shall determine when an emergency exists.
(Ord. 247-14, passed 5-12-14)