Ho-Ho-Kus April 1, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Towers convince council to table fee ordinance by Jennifer Crusco Tom LoCicero and Frank Thissen, owners of two towing companies licensed to work in the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus, convinced the borough council to reconsider an ordinance to amend towing fees. The ordinance was introduced in February, and was due for public hearing and possible adoption last week, but the towing company owners said several issues still need to be addressed. LoCicero, owner of All Points Towing, told the council a new state law would affect how towers are permitted to conduct their business, and urged the council to consider the item (Bill 2567) before approving a new fee ordinance. LoCicero asserted that he had found contradictions in the ordinance, and said the fee for storing passenger cars had actually decreased in the proposed measure. He added that the ordinance should address the types of vehicles that are being towed. In particular, he pointed out that many cars now have all-wheel drive, which affects how they can be towed. “The new rates are still quite antiquated,” LoCicero told the council. He noted that other area towns have updated their fees, and some are charging an administrative fee the towing company collects and passes on to the borough. “I think we tried to address your situation up to a point,” Councilman Gordon Hamm told LoCicero. “We’re not going to be handcuffed by what other towns do. We were respectful and tried to adjust (the rates) somewhat.” Hamm added that he Young authors Eighth grade students from Ho-Ho-Kus School have just released a second edition anthology of memoirs to the community. This release was commemorated through a series of readings held recently at the Barnes and Noble Performance Space in Paramus. In all, over sixty authors were able to present works to an audience of peers, teachers, parents, and book buyers. Members of the seventh grade student body will now extend this project through the use of the school’s television production studio. An interview is being researched, scripted, and produced by students to showcase the art of their peers. Edited video will air during a live news broadcast on the school’s closed circuit television station. would like to see an increase in the towing companies’ insurance coverage. LoCicero said he is not able to shop for insurance, but the insurers raise the rates by 10 to 20 percent each year. “We are very high risk,” he said. “Hundreds of tow truck drivers are killed each year.” Councilman Kevin Crossley, who worked on retooling the fee ordinance, said he had sampled rates from the area. “We were trying to bring it into a fair rate,” Crossley told LoCicero. “I have no issue at all to sit down with you and make sure it’s fair from your end.” Mayor Thomas Randall pointed out that Crossley has been actively involved in the process of amending the fees. He also pointed out that there is no time constraint forcing the council to approve the ordinance that night. Thissen, who owns City Wide Towing, noted that his business expenses have been rising. In addition to increasing taxes, he said towing companies must also pay labor fees for cleanup duties at accident scenes. Crossley recommended tabling the ordinance, and his peers supported that move (continued on page 12) ���������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������� ������������������������� ����������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������ ����� ���� � � ��� �������� 246 N. Franklin Tpke #2 ������������������������� ������������������������������������������� ���������� ���������������������� DIET CENTER® OF RAMSEY with DIET CENTER® Call Now & Kiss Those Pounds Goodbye! 20-30-40 POUNDS OR MORE 201-818-LOSE...the weight (5673) LOSE ��������������������� ����������������������������