News
RB Tables Controversial Taxi License Ordinance
By John Burton
RED BANK - Not all taxi operators were happy with the mayor and Borough Council's decision this week to table a plan to increase the cost of some taxi licenses.
At a regular meeting last Monday, Mayor Pasquale Menna asked the borough council to table the proposed ordinance, which would have increased the cost of a taxi license for those holding more than five of them.
Menna and other officials had said previously the reason for the change in the fee structure was to discourage companies from purchasing the licenses and "pocketing" them in order to prevent competitors from buying them.
The ordinance, introduced two weeks ago, would allow companies to purchase up to five licenses at $150 each per year.
Under the proposed action, holders of more than 5 licenses would pay $500 for each additional license they purchased up a total of 10, when the cost of additional licenses above 10 held by the same interest would increase again to $1,000.
The number of taxi licenses permitted in the borough is 45. The proposed ordinance would have added 5 more licenses, which would be distributed through public auction instead of on a first come, first served basis.
When the ordinance was introduced on July 26, Gary Damanti, a manager for Yellow Car Company, which holds 26 licenses, the largest number operating in the borough, complained that the increase was unfair and that borough concerns that buyers might 'pocket' additional licenses were unfounded.
Upon closer review and "availing ourselves of the comments of the public," Menna said this week, "the council will not be taking action this evening."
The fee scale, the mayor said, had been "perceived as draconian." And given the views expressed by the cab owners (many of whom were in the audience), "I think we ought to be smart enough to focus on issues not addressed in this ordinance."
Menna invited those wishing to contribute input on the issue to sign up for a committee to discuss the matter before the council takes further action.
On Tuesday Damanti said the council's action was the right one and he has agreed to participate with the committee. "It really needs to be looked at," he said, "so it's fair for everybody involved, from the public down to the owners."
The Muller family doesn't agree, as they told the borough council. Peter Muller, along with his wife, Mary and son, Michael, operate P&M Taxi, in the borough, which currently has one license and car. "We're all for it," Muller said of the ordinance on Monday. With no licenses currently available, Muller said he is frustrated by his inability to expand his business, and is hoping to get additional cars on the road.
Mary Muller echoed her husband's frustration, noting, "If I knew we were going to have this problem we would have gone to another township."
The Mullers operated P&M under Yellow Car for nearly three years, before going independent about six months ago.
