NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. on whether to pull OTT Taxi's operating license.
The taxi service was put on probation back in February for violations including unlicensed and underage drivers and unmarked cars being used to pick up fares.
Councilors at the time had little sympathy for owner John Lord's claims that he didn't know or understand the city's ordinance regulating taxi services.
But they did not wish disrupt the livelihoods of his drivers and the customers who needed the company's services and so issued a "stern warning" and 30 days probation.
Tuesday's public hearing is prompted by what officials say are continued violations.
A document supplied by interim Police Chief Mark Bailey refers to 14 violations, four parking citations and seven instances of drivers operating taxies without valid licenses. These violations were between Sept. 30, 2022, and July 22, 2023.
"Although there are reports of further violations occurring, these are the ones that have been documented by the North Adams Police Department, Bailey wrote.
In July, police say Lord was again seen driving taxi cabs, for which he does not have a license.
OTT has also moved out of its River Street offices this summer but has not changed the address on its license as required by ordinance.
Lord was informed by letter that "due to the continued issues, the City Council has determined they will need to reconvene to discuss them and determine its course of action."
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Weekend Outlook: Get Outside This Holiday Weekend
iBerkshires Staff
Enjoy the peak of the fall season this weekend before the weather turns frosty!
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Mt. Greylock Ramble/RambleFest
All Around Adams Oct. 9–12
Massachusetts' highest peak is the centerpiece of a weekend-long celebration of autumn in the Berkshires. A live performance by comedian Jason Salmon on Friday, Oct. 9, and the Big in the Berkshires local music showcase on Saturday, Oct. 10, both will kick off the weekend at The Adams Theater. This year's RambleFest celebration will be held Sunday, Oct. 11, from noon to 5 p.m. p.m. at the Adams Visitor Center, located at 3 Hoosac St. in Adams. This free event will feature live music, food and drink, vendors, children's activities, sight-seeing trains, and more. The 58th annual Mt. Greylock Ramble, a hike along the Cheshire Harbor Trail to the summit of Mount Greylock, will take place Monday, Oct. 12. This 6.6-mile, round-trip hike that is moderately strenuous and can take four to five hours, but the spectacular views at the 3,491-foot summit are worth the effort. The first 2,000 hikers will receive certificates of accomplishment. A free shuttle from the Adams Visitor Center to the trailhead runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. with return shuttle until 4 p.m. Very limited parking will be available near the trailhead, so use of the shuttle is strongly encouraged.
"Celebrating Jewish Plays" features three readings presented over three evenings during the holiday weekend. Live poetry, speakers, musical performances, and more have been added to this year's celebration. Multishow weekend passes are also available; tickets are $30 to $100.
Closing Reception for 'Terra Mater'
Hotel Downstreet, 40 Main St., North Adams
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These nature-inspired ink, cyanotype, and mixed-media works by artists Joan Ryan, Livia Linden, Carissa Toomey and Alicia Canary are curated by Anna Salmeron.
'Goosebumps' Party
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As part of Banned Books Week, the library invites the public to celebrate the birthday of prolific author R.L. with a Goosebumps Party with crafts, food, and fun. Create neon marker art, slime, and listen to scary stories. Free for all ages.
American Stories Curator Talks
Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge
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Spend a morning with curators exploring Norman Rockwell Museum's expansive and thought-provoking exhibition commemorating 250 years of America. Each session will focus on a theme drawn from the exhibition. This program occurs before public opening hours, providing a unique opportunity for reflection and enjoyment of the exhibition.
Planetarium Show
Milham Planetarium,Williams College, Williamstown
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Weekly planetarium shows are held on Friday nights at the Milham Planetarium to see all that night sky has to offer, from mythology to astrophysics and cosmology.
The 13th president of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts was formally installed on Saturday and challenged the college community to "love your students to success."
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The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will hold a grievance hearing with the Tenants Association to discuss retaliatory actions allegedly committed by the executive director. click for more
The brisket contest actually started at about 10:30 p.m. on Thursday night, as some smokers — like the North Adams Fire Department — fired up their charcoal for the long cooking process.
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