generic Shenandoah mandates rotation system for towing companies
Sep. 21—SHENANDOAH — The borough has adopted an ordinance regulating the operations of towing companies.
Under the ordinance, approved at Monday night's council meeting, there will be a rotational system in place that ensures all towing companies in the borough receive opportunities for assignments.
The ordinance states that "no person shall engage in towing from a scene of an accident or with respect to a disabled vehicle that is either impeding traffic or on the shoulder of a limited access highway" unless that person has been selected through the rotational system.
"The main issue was that tow trucks that operate within the borough be requested to come out on a rotational basis," borough solicitor James P. Amato said, "and not one tow company would get all the business from within the borough, or the police department or from residents within the borough."
The borough will compile a list of approved, licensed towing companies for the rotational list. To be included on the list, a towing company must submit an application on a form required by Shenandoah.
The rotational list will be determined and maintained by the borough and the Shenandoah Police Department, with all assignments "made on an alternating basis and in accordance with the level of service required for the transport," according to the ordinance.
"Basically meaning that, if they call a tow truck company and they cannot handle the job or the project, then the next person in line will be up who can handle it," Amato said.
In addition to the rotational list, the ordinance lays down a series of parameters designed to provide safeguards and controls for towing companies.
"Such safeguards include identifying (on the application form) the company name, the name of the owners of the company, the owner's date of birth, towing operator's license of all persons operating tow trucks within the borough, a fee schedule of towing costs and proof of insurance," Amato said.
In other business, the council approved the following requests:
—Handicap parking for 14 S. Catherine St. and 316 W. Centre St.
—The Shenandoah Valley senior class to hold its homecoming parade on Oct. 14. Staging area will be near the Shenandoah Community Ambulance garage and Shenandoah Senior Living Community at 5 p.m., with the parade stepping off at 6 p.m.
—The purchase of a new police vehicle, two police radios and two 12-gauge shotguns for the department.
—Rob Romanot, owner of Little Venice Pizza on 40 N. Main St., to install off-street parking in the rear of his business, with a West Lloyd Street entrance.
—Glory Faith International Church, 117 W. Oak St., to use Girard Park on one or two Sundays each month for an outreach program.
Contact the writer: hlee@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6085
