Selectmen to consider taxi regulation revisions
Board to also review hours for restaurant liquor sales
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
Anew set of taxi regulations will be considered by the selectmen at tonight's meeting, but they are not likely to be adopted without further work, according to attorney Steven Cohen who represents the Nantucket Taxicab Association.

"The taxi owners' position is that this is a really good start. There are no major objections," said Cohen, adding that the intent of some provisions is unclear and some regulations need to be better addressed. "We look forward to working with the town to nail down something the taxi owners, customers and the selectmen all see as an improvement."

The revised regulations will include new language regarding the taxi license waiting list, a subject that spawned much debate last year when hearings were held in March 2006 concerning A- 1 Taxi's request to allow the company's owner to transfer his licenses to his manager. Cabbies were up in arms over the request, insisting that while it was unofficial, there had been a standing tradition of passing available licenses to the next person in line on a waiting list.

"What became obvious in the hearings with A-1 is whether certain provisions were enforceable and questions regarding transfers and leasing," said Cohen.

The provision on taxi licenses now states that: "In conjunction with monitoring available licenses in the previous section, the Town will codify and actively manage an official waiting list of applicant names based on order of submission by those interested in acquiring future taxicab licenses. The unofficial waiting list as of June 1, 2007 shall serve as the initial reference document such that applicants listed retain seniority unless and until such time any applicant requests removal from the list or declines to respond as necessary to the Town regarding remaining on the waiting list."

The new version also eliminates a requirement for installation of taxi meters at cab owner's expense, an action formerly proposed to ensure that drivers were charging passengers appropriately. Also new is a license fee increase from $200 annually to $300, a unisex dress code that no longer requires a collar or buttons on shirts and a license clause stipulating that the town administrator must give permission for cabs not to operate during any portion of the winter.

LIQUOR BEFORE 11 A.M.?

The selectmen tonight will discuss whether to allow liquor sales before 11 a.m. at the island's restaurants, clubs and inns. Currently under state law, those establishments are not permitted to serve drinks earlier than 11 a.m., but since the selectmen are the local licensing authority they have the ability to amend the discretionary hours between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., providing a public hearing is held.

If the hours are changed, restaurant owners would still be able to choose whether they want to serve earlier than 11 a.m. This type of change would benefit proprietors who have weddings booked at their establishments if the wedding party wishes to serve drinks to guests or members of the wedding at a special breakfast or

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