Mayor James J. Fiorentini.
A negotiated 10 percent, across the board reduction in taxicab fare rates heads to a vote by the full Haverhill City Council Tuesday night.
On the agenda, a recommendation from Mayor James J. Fiorentini seeks council approval of an amendment to a city ordinance relating to taxicabs and buses. It would reflect, as reported by WHAV March 10, an agreement reached by Fiorentini with two city-based cab vendors, Haverhill Taxi and Family Cab, after complaints he received from senior citizens over “the high cost of taking a taxicab in Haverhill.” The rate cut proposal also received a favorable recommendation from the council’s Administration and Finance Committee. Besides the rate reduction, taxi owners have agreed to not begin charging use time until passengers are seated, according to
City Councilor Colin F. LePage, chairman of Administration and Finance Committee.
Councilor Colin F. LePage, committee chairman. Previously, owners charged for the time waiting for residents to exit their homes or load packages. Before the rate agreement was announced by Fiorentini, councilors considered imposing lower rates on tax companies because of reduced gasoline prices.
“The year 2011 was the last time we set rates when gas prices were skyrocketing. But, now gas prices are down. Why are we still paying more?” LePage asked at the time.
If passed by the full council, the new rates would take effect July 1.
In another matters before the council, there is a request by Planning Director William Pillsbury Jr. to postpone to April 26, a proposal the city accept Tersolo and Snow roads, within the Scotland Heights subdivision, as public ways. According to Pillsbury, further action by the planning board on the request by Trustee Michael Crowe of Scotland Heights Realty Trust, is pending at its April 13 meeting.
“The applicant was unable to conclude the requirements of the city engineer prior to the planning board hearing on the matter and asked the planning board to continue the matter,” Pillsbury wrote to councilors.
According to Planning Board Chairman Paul B. Howard, “there was some work that is still required to be completed prior to street acceptance.” The planning board, during its March 9 meeting, approved an escrow account reduction to $112,059 pending the board’s April 13 meeting.
The Haverhill City Council meets at 7 p.m., Tuesday, in Theodore A. Pelosi Jr. Council Chambers at Haverhill City Hall.
If these two fools were really interested in helping Haverhill residents instead of giving the appearance that “they” are working hard for their benefit when it comes to taxi services they’d be making public the fact that Uber is now operating in the city.
In Haverhill, Uber drivers charge 50% less than what the taxi companies do in the city.
Uber charges $20 bucks to get in their car,you have to wait 20 minutes at least for them to show up…and unless its a Friday nite these scavengers cant be found. Good Luck
Do they have their rates posted in the window? Are they fingerprinted by the Haverhill PD ? Are they licensed by the city to operate? No on all above.