May 25, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 Ridgewood Towing rate increases to $95 under new ordinance by John Koster The Ridgewood Village Council has adopted an ordinance for franchised vehicle towing that increases fees to reflect the increase in the cost of equipment, insurance, and fuel. The basic wheel lift rate for a two-axle vehicle -the typical towing job for a disabled or damaged vehicle -- will increase from $75 to the new rate of $95, which Tom Lo Cicero, a towing franchiser who spoke at a recent council meeting, said is similar to rates approved in Allendale, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park, and Waldwick. “The rates that we’re charging for are 24 hours a day, seven days a week, nights, weekends, and Saturdays,” Lo Cicero said. The ordinance sets the rate for a flatbed lift at $110. Roger Wiegand, a resident who frequently speaks at council meetings, asked why the flatbed rate cost more. Lo Cicero explained that costs for equipment, plus the longer time involved, explained the dispar- ity. The last tow truck Lo Cicero bought cost $60,000, while the last flatbed rig cost $85,000. Flatbedding also consumes more time and the heavier rig consumes more fuel during the operation. The new rates established by the ordinance call for basic towing services for two-axle vehicles at $295 per hour, with motorcycles at $110, and mopeds at $60; heavy duty towing rates are $325 an hour, with $45 additional for driveshaft removal, $45 for brake release, and $550 an hour for the use of an air cushion device in heavy-duty recovery. Vehicles with two axles will be stored at $45 a day with $20 additional for each additional axle. Emergency road call service fees are set at $60, with $75 for vehicle lock-outs, Light duty winching is set at $75, with off-duty recovery or turning an overturned vehicle upright set at $150. Medium duty winching, requiring a heavier truck, is set at $250 an hour and heavy winching is set at $425 an hour. Wiegand asked if, in tough economic times, the fees could be held down for motorists, especially those passing through Ridgewood, who might be hard pressed to come up with the money. Lo Cicero explained that most of his calls come from the Ridgewood Police Department in the aftermath of serious accidents, while people who suffer automotive breakdowns generally call AAA. Storage, he said, was a particular hardship since he has limited space and some vehicles involved in litigation have to be stored for months pending adjudication. Co nsu FR lta tio EE n 201-652-4447 201-818-5673 MIDLAND PARK 1973 - 2011 ~ 38 Years of Excellence CALL NOW! 24 Godwin Avenue 246 No. Franklin Tpk RAMSEY