North Adams Taxi Could Lose License

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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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."

Tags: public hearing,   taxi,   

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Healey Makes Berkshire Campaign Swing: 'I Stand With You'

By Tammy Daniels & Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey says she endorses Healey and Kim Driscoll '150 percent' as they pursue a second term as governor and lieutenant governor, respectively. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Maura Healey was in the Berkshires on Monday to rally support for a second four-year term as governor. She spoke at a meet and greet on Main Street, visited small businesses on North Street in Pittsfield, and planned to stop in Great Barrington on Tuesday.
 
Speaking with dozens of supporters at the new Main & Mill restaurant, the Democrat ticked off successes over her term and challenges ahead in education, energy, healthcare and housing.
 
"I go around the state and I talk to colleagues around the country. People are hurting. You know, they can't afford gas, groceries, rent. Everything it seems has gotten more expensive," she said. "We got a president who continues to cut and make things more expensive and more difficult for all of us.
 
"I mean, except for the very rich and the very powerful, it didn't work out really well for a lot of people across this country right now, which is why state leadership I think, is all the more important."
 
Mayor Jennifer Macksey, who hosted the meet and greet, said Healey "gets what it is to grow a community, and she has supported me for the last 4 1/2 years." 
 
"No matter where you sit or who you represent, you are important to Governor Healey, and I know that firsthand because we talk often about the work that we do, the work we do in the weeds, the work we do at higher end, but Governor Healey gets it," she said, adding at a walkthrough of the Greylock School project later that she supports Healey and her running mate Kim Driscoll "150 percent."
 
Healey touted her role in being the "first governor in 20 years" to cut taxes, pointing to increases in tax credits for seniors and families, and signing the $5 billion housing act that allows accesory dwelling units by right and offered incentives for converting office space.
 
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