BRICK – Rates charged by towing operators that are utilized by the township Police Department for emergency towing, road and storage services will be paid an additional 20 percent after some of the towing companies contacted the department asking for a price modification.
The governing body introduced an ordinance during the August 8 Council Meeting that would update the most recent 2016 rates that were recommended by Sgt. Joseph Rossi of the Brick Police Department Traffic Safety Bureau.
“The feedback from township towers is the rates they’re required to charge by ordinance are not similar to rates being charged by other jurisdictions,” said Councilman Perry Albanese. “That coupled with increased cost the towers are paying in fuel, supplies and insurance is resulting in hardships for our police towing contractors.”
Sgt. Rossi researched the towing rates offered by neighboring municipalities and made a recommendation to change the rates to the Council’s Public Safety Committee.
Rates for Class 1 vehicles with a vehicle weight of 8,600 pounds or less will increase from $125 to $150.
Rates for Class II vehicles with a vehicle weight of 8,601 pounds to 15,000 pounds will increase from $185 to $200.
Rates for Class III vehicles with a vehicle weight of 15,001 pounds or greater will increase from $350 to $400.
The amended ordinance also includes increased fees for loaded mileage charges from the scene to final destination, vehicle storage and beach or water recovery.
In other news, the council approved the insertion of $50,400 in funds from the NJ Department of Community Affairs for the 2023 Lead Grant Assistance Program (LGAP).
“The funds will be used for training building inspectors and code enforcement officials on the state’s new lead-based inspection program,” explained Councilman Vincent Minichino.
“The grant also covers equipment and tools needed during the inspections,” he said.
According to the DCA, it has allocated $7 million for the LGAP to assist municipalities with costs associated with compliance of the law, passed in July 2022, that requires inspections at certain times of certain residential dwellings for lead-based paint hazards.
Cedar Bridge Manor Park is currently under renovation. (Photo by Judy Smestad-Nunn)
Each eligible municipality has been awarded a pre-calculated grant amount based on its relative number of renter-occupied one- and two-family housing units built before 1980.
The inspection depends on the Department of Health data as to the elevated blood lead level in children aged six and younger who are tested in the municipality.
When the inspection reveals that there is a lead-based paint hazard, the owner must perform remediation.
And finally, as work continues on the latest township park upgrade, the council approved the purchase and installation of Safety Surface at Cedar Bridge Manor Park at the cost of $66,484 from Rubberecycle of Lakewood who offer a broad range of rubber products from virgin and recycled sources.
The purchase is being made through the state of New Jersey Cooperative pricing program, said Council Vice President Andrea Zapcic.
The next council meeting will be on Tuesday September 12 at 7 p.m.
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