PORTSMOUTH TAXI COMMISSION

Minutes of December 17, 2001

  1. CALL TO ORDER

    2. Chair Sanford called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

  2. ATTENDANCE

    3. Officials and Ex-Officio’s Present: Chair Sanford, Members Daggett, Bresciano, Feehley; Councilor Whitehouse, Lt. Winsor, City Clerk Barnaby.

  3. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2001

    4. Frank Daggett moved to accept the minutes from the November 19, 2001 Taxi Commission meeting. Councilor Whitehouse seconded the motion, voted all in favor.

  4. NEW BUSINESS

    1. Petition from Pioneer Taxi

      2. Frank Daggett moved to approve a taxi permit for Pioneer Taxi. Councillor Whitehouse seconded the motion, voted all in favor.

    2. Hours of operation for New Year’s Eve

      3. Chair Sanford wanted to know the hours of operation for cabs on New Year’s Eve.

      Blue Star Taxi explained that five taxicabs would be available until 2:00 a.m. or until the business ends.

      Sunshine, Pioneer, and Doug’s Taxi said that they would be operational for twenty-four hours. Gary Moran said that he will be open until 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m.

    3. Taxi Commission holiday schedule (not on agenda)

Frank Daggett made a motion to have Taxi Commission Meeting held Tuesday, January 22, 2002 and Tuesday, February 19, 2002 due to the holidays. Councilor Whitehouse seconded the motion, voted all in favor.

  1. OLD BUSINESS

    1. Taxi Inspection Report

      2. Lt. Winsor explained the taxi inspection results. He explained that Blue Star Taxi passed with no problems. A-1 Taxi had taxi medallion number nine revoked. Sunshine Taxi had taxi medallion number twelve was surrendered because the vehicle was not in operation. Lt. Winsor questioned the Commission if licensed in Portsmouth and not in Dover, if they could drop off in Portsmouth. Commission agrees that non-licensed driver could drop off only as one way service and could not operate in Portsmouth.

      Lt. Winsor questioned the ordinance in reference to a medallion revoked in Portsmouth and they drop off from their other town-licensed operation. Lt. Winsor believes an ordinance needs to be established to address this loophole. Frank Daggett recommends that Lt. Winsor meet with City Attorney Sullivan to discuss the legal aspects before the next meeting for the next meeting agenda.

      Peter Bresciano believes that it will be hard to regulate such because that means we will have to inspect all taxi’s coming into the City.

      James Feehley explained that the Kittery Ordinances regulate that someone who drops off the same person cannot bring the same person back to their destination.

    2. Steven Caswell report

Chair Sanford presented the proposed Ordinance amendment that regulates licensing restrictions. Frank Daggett read the Ordinance and the new Ordinance amendment.

Lt. Winsor recommends that an addition be made to include "or at the discretion of the Taxi Commission." Frank Daggett explained that "C" would include such.

Councilor Whitehouse made a motion to approve this Ordinance change and present to the City Council. Frank Daggett seconded the motion, voted all in favor.

  1. MISCELLANEOUS/UNFINISHED BUSINESS

    2. No business discussed.

  2. ADJOURNMENT

Peter Bresciano made a motion to adjourn at 9:40 a.m. Councilor Whitehouse seconded the motion, voted all in favor.

Minutes taken and typed by:

B. Christopher Maxwell, Deputy City Clerk