HomeMy WebLinkAboutTaxi Advisory Committee Minutes October 13, 2009_201402041306588373Taxi Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes for October 13, 2009
Called to order at: 10:00am
Location: 2 Fairgrounds Road Conference Room
Members present: David Sharpe (Acting Chair), Mitch Carl, David Larivee, Lt. Angus MacVicar, John
O’Connor, Jon St. Laurent, and Wendy Watts.
The minutes of August 11, 2009 and August 25, 2009 were approved by the unanimous consent of the
meeting.
A taxi subcommittee consisting of David Sharpe, David Larivee, and John O’Conner reviewed its
progress regarding a possible taxi driver training program and suggested the use of a packet to be given to
all drivers containing items such as a copy of the Town taxi by-laws, information on the history of
Nantucket, areas of concern, basic knowledge of the operation of a taxi on the island, geography, historic
“tidbits”, code of conduct and an operator’s handbook. Regarding a potential testing program, some
concerns discussed included what if one fails the test, the frequency of the training, the cost of the
program, how to handle rude customers, owners setting a professional example, and lack of owner
concern as to the conduct of their operators.
The need for a full time taxi police officer was brought up to coordinate the enforcement of the taxi
regulations and improve communication between the owners, operators, and TAC. Wendy Watts
commented that she has never seen an industry requesting regulation enforcement.
David Larivee shared his personal experience with A-1 Taxi and its use of its “transport van” being used
as a taxi. Mr. Larivee also commented on how the driver took a phone call for a pick up in Wauwinet
before his trip was finished. David Barrett the commented on a complaint that he and two other owners
made on the same subject on July 11 and the need for police enforcement.
Jon St. Laurent commented that in several conversations with other owners, the letter to taxi owners sent
in September from the TAC was well received.
Meter research was postponed until the November meeting, where Mr. St. Laurent will share a short DVD
presentation he has prepared to help inform the other members of the TAC on where the Selectmen left
off with the meters discussion and what some of the expectations of the TAC may be.
The next meeting will be November 10, 2009 at the 2 Fairgrounds Road conference room.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00am.