§ 73A-6. Rate schedule; charges and fees.

A. 

Generally.

(1) 

Towing and storage charges and fees shall be in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.5 as well as the provisions of this chapter. The Borough 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 presented to the owner of a vehicle to be towed at the time of service. The tower shall prepare an itemized bill in detail as to the actual services rendered and present the bill to the claimant of a vehicle. Each bill shall contain a statement that the claimant may file a complaint with the Borough with respect to charges. The Borough will not be responsible for charges due and owing from a claimant of a vehicle, nor will it assist the tower in collecting such charges. Vehicles impounded as a result of police investigations involving stolen vehicles will not result in storage charges. Vehicles involved in a fatal accident shall not incur charges until after seven days (168 hours). In all such cases, the Borough reserves the right to store such vehicles at a location of its choosing.

(2) 

In the event the Borough conducts an auction of unclaimed abandoned vehicles pursuant to 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 action. Each vehicle auctioned shall be a separate item for purposes of this subsection. The title fee for which the Borough must pay to 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 Borough determines to utilize the provisions of Title 39 with respect to unclaimed vehicles, the tower shall receive no compensation for its services.

(3) 

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 curbline of the property on which is located the storage area. There shall be no additional charge for towing a vehicle from the storage area to the curbline for the purpose of an owner of a vehicle towing the vehicle to a service station or other repair shop or the person's home or other location. The charge for towing includes all incidental and related costs such as disconnecting and reconnecting a transmission. There shall be no additional costs for any other services to the owner of the vehicle, including but not limited to waiting time, debris removal, winching and additional labor when routine towing services as provided for by this chapter are performed. The tower may charge to the insurance company any fees or costs as allowed pursuant to New Jersey statutes, the New Jersey Administrative Code and the Department of Community Affairs. The tower shall be responsible for the cleanup and disposal of motor vehicle fluids, in accordance with state law and accepted standards, and there shall be no additional labor charges for this service. The tower may charge the owner/operator for material used in the cleanup of motor vehicle fluids. The tower may charge a fee for lockout service as well as roadside assistance such as jumpstarts, tire changes, and providing gasoline for vehicles that have run out of fuel.

B. 

Charges and fees. The charges, fees and rates for vehicles to be towed and stored shall be as follows:

(1) 

Flatbed and towing service pursuant to this chapter, which will include all routine towing/winching, labor and cleanup costs associated with the removal of the vehicle:

(a) 

Any towing service requested for automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, motor scooters, mopeds and trucks less than 2.5 tons: $100 daytime rate and $125 nights, weekends and holidays.

(b) 

Trucks 2.5 tons to five tons: $175 daytime rate and $200 nights, weekends and holidays.

(c) 

Trucks, buses, tractor-trailers, and heavy equipment over five tons: $450 daytime rate and $475 nights, weekends and holidays.

(d) 

Additional charges may apply as approved by the Chief of Police or his/her designee.

(2) 

Winching service not associated with towing of a vehicle:

(a) 

Light winches: $80 per hour.

(b) 

Medium winches: $100 per hour.

(c) 

Heavy winches: $200 per hour.

(3) 

Mileage:

(a) 

There will be no charge for mileage for vehicles towed within the Borough limits.

(b) 

For vehicles towed to or from areas outside the Borough limits, other than the storage location of the tower, the price shall be negotiated between the tower and the owner of the towed vehicle. If the price cannot be agreed upon per industry standards, the tower will take the vehicle to its storage location with no mileage charge.

(4) 

Storage:

(a) 

Storage is charged per calendar day.

(b) 

Motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, mopeds, and motor scooters will be charged $35 per day.

(c) 

Automobiles and trucks less than 2.5 tons: $35 per day.

(d) 

Trucks 2.5 tons to five tons: $40 per day.

(e) 

Trucks, tractor-trailers, buses, and heavy equipment over five tons: $80 per day.

(f) 

Fees billed to the Borough for vehicles removed at the Borough's direction will be consistent with N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.50 and shall not exceed the following.

[1] 

A limit of $3 per day for the first 30 days of storage per vehicle.

[2] 

A limit of $2 per day for day 31 of storage and any day thereafter.

[3] 

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 the municipality by the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs.

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 therefor shall be paid by the owner of the vehicle, after the owner of the vehicle or his agent has given his prior written consent thereto, except where said vehicle is deemed a hazard to health or safety, whereupon said vehicle will be removed by the direction of the Chief of Police or his designee, with the owner then being responsible for all personnel, equipment and labor costs. The Chief of Police or his designee shall determine the necessity for specialized equipment.

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 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 or his designee shall determine when an emergency exists.