Some of the Attendees at the 4/22/15 Council Meeting
*Photo by Carolyn Maxwell
PERTH AMBOY – Two residents appeared before the Council during the 4/6/15 Caucus Meeting. They wanted to know what steps they need to take to start another taxi business.
They said, “The population has increased significantly since the limit on existing taxi services went into effect. Residents have told us that they wait a long time for taxicabs to arrive.”
City Attorney Mark Blunda at the time told them, “There is an ordinance in place which indicates how many cab companies can exist.” He recommended that they should get a petition with signatures and addresses. They should acquire as much data as possible and present it to the Council.”
During the 4/22/15 Council Meeting, a cab owner came up to speak about this issue. He said, “A lot of the existing cab companies have issues with another taxi service coming aboard. The two gentlemen that came up to speak at a previous meeting did have a petition which they have a right to do. You (the Council and Blunda) should look at the signatures and some of the other items on that petition handed over to you. They did not meet all the requirements requested.”
Resident David Caba came up to speak next. Addressing Attorney Mark Blunda, Caba said, “There is an ordinance in place about tax alliances and the numbers can be issued. Just because someone has a petition and signatures you should have told them about the ordinance already in place restricting cab licenses. I have a relative in the cab business and I have driven taxis myself. Why aren’t the people who turned in the petition not here?”
Blunda replied, “I told the two gentlemen about the ordinance already in place and the Council has the power to amend an ordinance. The Police Department is studying whether another taxi company is needed.
Caba replied, “There are 45 cabs right now which is enough for a town this size.
Councilman Fernando Irizarry said, “People came here because they wanted to explain why they feel there is a need for another taxi company. We didn’t tell them that we would be doing anything about that. We look forward to working with the existing taxi services and the residents for what’s best.”
City Clerk Elaine Jasko said, “The taxi companies, myself and the Police are meeting to discuss problems with servicing the residents.”
Councilman Joel Pabon was absent due to illness.
