Home About Archives RSS Feed

Cab Complaints Concern Public Safety Committee

Tammy Daniels

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Public Safety Committee is looking into complaints made about the local taxi service.

Written and oral complaints had been received by city councilors, said Chairman Alan Marden, but not by the Police Department.

City Council President Ronald Boucher, attending the meeting, said the complaints related to customer service, such as inconsistent fares and smoking by the driver. The city had banned smoking in cabs by both drivers and passengers a decade ago.

Marden said he'd also been given two very specific complaints about cabs not servicing handicapped customers.

The board agreed it was a matter of compliance and voted to have Marden do a site visit with the company to "get their side of the story."

The city only has one taxi service now, American Cab & Livery Co. Boucher said there had been talks with Rainbow Taxi of Pittsfield to open an office in the city to offer competition, but nothing came of it.

Board members noted that the taxi company provides an important service to residents.

"It's not the best of economic times to be operating any business and they do provide a public service so we should try to work with them," said Marden. "But we definitely do not let this go by."

The board voted unanimously to "adopt" the state's anti-idling statute passed in 2009. The measure prohibits the idling of a motor vehicle for more than five minutes unless related to repairs, deliveries and pickups in which the motor is the only power source available. Fines range from $100 to $500.

The measure, and a similar one banning idling motor vehicles at or near schools, was enacted to limit pollutants. The Board of Health had asked the City Council to take up the matter and enforce it for health reasons.

"It may not be required but as a courtesy to the Board of Health, we're going to adopt it," said Marden.

Tags: taxis, anti-idling      

Support Local News

We show up at hurricanes, budget meetings, high school games, accidents, fires and community events. We show up at celebrations and tragedies and everything in between. We show up so our readers can learn about pivotal events that affect their communities and their lives.

How important is local news to you? You can support independent, unbiased journalism and help iBerkshires grow for as a little as the cost of a cup of coffee a week.

News Headlines
Mass RMV Offering Learner’s Permit Exams in Spanish, Portuguese
We Can be Thankful for Vermont's Wild Turkeys
Four Berkshire Nonprofits Receive Grants for Youth Health
Hancock School Celebrates Thanksgiving by Highlighting Community
Swann, Williams Women Place Third at Natinoals
Community Hero: Noelle Howland
Fairview Hospital Receives the 2024 Women's Choice Award
Butternut Fire Contained; Conditions Improve
Information Sought Regarding Illegally Shot Vermont Bald Eagle
Holiday Hours: Thanksgiving

Voting Registration Deadlines

:: Preliminary Election: Deadline to register is Wednesday, Sept. 7. (Office open from 8 to 8.)
:: General Election: Deadline to register is Tuesday, Oct. 18

Registration can be completed at the city clerk's office at City Hall.

Absentee ballots are now available at the city clerk's office for the Sept. 27 preliminary city election. Voters may come in between the hours of 8 and 4:30 weekdays. Written reguests for mailed ballots can be sent to City Clerk's Office, 10 Main St., North Adams, MA 01247. Deadline for absentee ballots is Monday, Sept. 26, at noon.

The preliminary election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 27, to narrow the field of three mayoral candidates to two. The general election to select nine city councilors and a mayor will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8.


 

City Council

Returned Papers
As of 8/9 at 5 p.m.
 Lisa M. Blackmer* Yes
 Michael Bloom Yes
 Keith Bona* Yes
 David Bond* Yes
 Marie Harpin* Yes
 Alan Marden* Yes
 John Barrett Yes
 Eric R. Buddington Yes
 Nancy P. Bullett Yes
 Robert Cardimino Yes
 Catherine Chaput Yes
 Roland G. Gardner  
 Diane M. Gallese-Parsons  Yes
Shane Gaudreau  
 James B. Gyurasz  Yes
 Michael Hernandez  Yes
 Jennifer Breen Kirsch  Yes
Brian L. Flagg  
 Kellie A. Morrison  Yes
 Greg Roach  Yes
 Gail Kolis Sellers  Yes
18 candidates returned papers
 
 Mayor  
 Richard J. Alcombright*  Yes
 Ronald A. Boucher  Yes
 Robert Martelle  Yes
 Preliminary election will eliminate one
 
 School Committee  
 Mary Lou Accetta* Yes
 Lawrence K. Taft* Yes
 Leonard Giroux Jr.  Yes
 Tara J. Jacobs  Yes
 David Lamarre Yes
   
McCann School Committee  
 George M. Canales Yes

Polling stations

St. Elizabeth's Parish Center

Ward 1
Ward 2
Ward 3
Ward 5

Greylock Elementary School

Ward 4


Draft Budget FY2012

School Budget FY2012

Compensation Plan

Classification Schedule 

Fiscal 2011 Budget

Fiscal 2011 Tax Classification

North Adams Audit 2010

North Adams Single Audit 2010

North Adams Management Letters 2010

North Adams School Building Options



Categories:
Boards & Committees (58)
budget (17)
buildings (12)
City Council (47)
City Hall (8)
Courts (1)
Development (19)
DNA (4)
Downtown (48)
Events (29)
Fun Stuff (32)
Hadley Overpass (2)
Heritage State Park (5)
Housing (2)
Inspections (3)
Library (1)
Mayor (49)
MCLA (8)
MoCA (10)
People (30)
Planning Board (9)
projects (31)
Relations (2)
Schools (24)
Services (14)
stores (19)
Streets (21)
Archives:
Tags:
Fall Foliage Water Jobs Armory Lue Gim Gong Restaurants Wilco Transcript Parking Conte Hardman Industrial Park Hometown Holidays Windsor Lake Finance Committee Airport Election Main Street Trees Agenda Sullivan Budget Scarafoni Override Vendors Holiday Tourism Ordinances Contest School Project Shopping Campground Insurance Ordinance Planning Board North Adams
Popular Entries:
Mattress Maker Facing Foreclosure in N.Y.
Mattress Maker Picks Green Mountain Site
Mattress Company Could Bring 100 Jobs to City
Council OKs Land Buy; Handicapped Signs Coming
City Council Agenda for Aug. 23, 2011
Planning Board to Look at Ordinance Change
City Still Pursuing Bedmaker
Two Challenge Alcombright; Barrett Tries For Council
Transcript Building Sale Gets Final OK
Conte School Option Prompts Protest
Recent Entries:
Public Safety Committee OKs Montana Parking Ban
Eclipse Residents Query Mayor on Collapsing Neighbor
Walmart Expected to Submit Plans for New Store
School Committee Endorses 2-School Plan
North Adams Water Safe to Drink
City Questions Parking Ticket Revenue
City Council Agenda for Aug. 23, 2011
Planning Board to Look at Ordinance Change
Mattress Maker Picks Green Mountain Site
City Still Pursuing Bedmaker