§ 262-2. Towing regulations., Chapter 262. Towing, Part II. General Legislation, Code of Ordinances, Netcong

Towing operators. Every three years the Borough Council shall establish by resolution a list of automobile towing operators and a list of truck towing operators to be utilized by the Police Department on a rotating basis. An operator may, if qualified, be on both lists. Such lists shall be utilized by members of the Police Department on a nonexclusionary and nondiscriminatory basis. Only those towing operators who meet the minimum standards of operator performance set forth in this chapter shall be included on such lists. There shall be no limit on the number of operators on either list. Operators may be added to the list at any time.

(1)

Application. All prospective licensees and every towing company employee involved in the towing or storage of towed vehicles, shall arrange for a fingerprint criminal history check to be conducted by MorphoTrak (which is a private company under contract with the New Jersey State Police) or such successor entity which is designated by the New Jersey State Police, with the results to be provided directly by MorphoTrak to the Netcong Borough Police Department, 19 Maple Avenue, Netcong, N.J. by completing MorphoTrak Form 0, which can be obtained from the New Jersey State Police or online at http://www.nj.gov/njsp(info/pdf/092509universformd.pdf. This investigation shall include disclosure of any crime, misdemeanor or violation of any municipal ordinance, the nature of the offense and the punishment or penalty assessed. If the applicant is a corporation, then this requirement shall apply to the officers of the corporation. As a result of such investigation, the ranking officer of the Police Department shall note, in writing, his/her recommendation and reasons therefore to the Borough Clerk. The Borough Clerk shall present the completed application, along with the recommendation as to whether the license shall issue, at the next regularly scheduled public meeting. If the Borough Council so directs, the Borough Clerk shall approve the application.

(2)

Equipment. All towing operators shall meet the following requirements:

(a)

For classification as an automobile towing service, the operator must possess one flatbed-style tow vehicle and one hoist-type tow vehicle with a sling and wheel lift.

(b)

For classification as a truck towing service operator must have one heavy-duty tow vehicle capable of towing a fully loaded tractor-trailer weighing 80,000 pounds.

(c)

All tow vehicles must carry the following equipment:

[1]

Shovel.

[2]

Fire extinguisher.

[3]

Jumper cables.

[4]

Tire changing equipment and portable air tank.

[5]

Jack and hammer.

[6]

Pry bar or similar tool.

[7]

Speedy Dry or similar liquid absorbent and disposal container.

[8]

Push broom.

[9]

A vehicle opening kit.

[10]

Two-way radio communication system.

(d)

All towing vehicles must have amber emergency warning lights mounted on the vehicle as to warn approaching traffic of their presence. The size and location of these lights must conform to New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicle standards. The operator must have an amber light permit.

(e)

All towing vehicles must carry a copy of the rate schedule established by the Borough. Said schedule must also be displayed in a conspicuous manner at the operator's place of business.

(3)

Facilities. Each operator must have a storage lot and place of business within one mile of the Borough of Netcong. The towing business and storage lot must comply with all zoning ordinances and regulations in the municipality in which they are located.

(4)

Availability and response time. Each operator must be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, holidays included, and must respond within 15 minutes during daytime hours and 25 minutes during nighttime hours of the original telephone call request by the Police Department.