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: Make Sure to Wear Green
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
Check out the events happening in Berkshire County this weekend including St. Paddy's events, crafts, movies, and more.
Editor's Picks
The St. Patrick's Day parade features marching bands and floats.
Hoosick Falls St. Patrick's Parade & Festival
Hoosick Armory, N.Y.
Time: noon
The 35th annual Irish Festival starts off with a parade from Wood Memorial Park and around the downtown with more than 40 units, including the Taconic Pipe Band and the Fifes and Drums of Olde Saratoga, and concludes with food and brew at the armory with the Burns Moore Bridge band and Hubbard Hall's Irish Dance Class.
Other businesses, taverns and restaurants will also be celebrating with a pub crawl, corned beef and cabbage at the Hoosick Falls Country Club, Reubens at the Society of St. Stanislaw, and outdoor grilling at the Sand Bar.
Parade line-up and participating businesses can be found here.
Glow for a Cause
North Adams Elks Hall
Time: Saturday, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Glow at a blacklight party with DJ Kane and DJ R.P. Express. Includes 50/50 raffle, charcuterie buffet, a glowing chocolate fountain, cotton candy, and pizza. Highlighters, glow sticks and other glow items available.
This is fundraiser for PopCares and is for ages 21 and older. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door. Cashapp or Venmo djkane01220 or contact Kane Robert at 413-347-3976.
The Fitzpatrick Greenhouse at Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to welcome the new season amongst hundreds of flowering bulbs.
The greenhouse is free and open to the public. More information here.
'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka'
Hoosac Valley High School
Friday through Saturday
This is a musical adaptation of Dahl's "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" staged by the high school's theater group. Bring the family or friends to enjoy the childhood story come to life.
The "Into Light" exhibit is sketching a new path toward transforming the conversation around addiction — one portrait and story at a time. click for more
Adan Wicks scored 38 points, and the eighth-seeded Hoosac Valley basketball team Saturday rallied from a nine-point first-half deficit to earn a 76-67 win over top-seeded Drury in the Division 5 State Quarter-Finals. click for more