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Lawsuit Promised by Taxi Company After License Renewal Denied

New Mantoloking Taxi Company has long history of trouble with municipal government

 

Unless a judge declares otherwise, New Mantoloking Taxi Company must cease operations Oct. 1.

The township council voted unanimously this week against renewing the business's taxi license, which would make operation of the vehicles for the purpose of transporting customers illegal.

"Let him sue us," said a frustrated Councilman Domenick Brando. "Let him explain to his employees why he can't operate. He's walking all over us, he's walking all over the town."

The company has been embroiled in a slew of disputes with the township and neighboring residents for years. In July, the company was denied a use variance by the township Board of Adjustment to be able to use a residential lot it had illegally paved over and used for parking.

During the parking dispute, neighbors complained the business had outgrown its small lot off Mantoloking Road and its employees were blocking driveways and intersections on the neighborhood's narrow streets.

The pavement on the residential lot has since been removed.

But issues with the company continue, township officials say.

The company, licensed to operate taxicabs, has also been operating vehicles used for a medical transport business. The license that was up for renewal limited the company to operate six vehicles.

The company has also failed to obtain a zoning permit.

Councilman Bob Moore said during a meeting this week that since township officials notified the company that it was operating too many vehicles, the cars were moved to different areas of the town and parked.

"Obviously, they are not paying attention to what we say," said Moore. "The rules are in place for a reason, they haven't followed them."

The council, according to Township Attorney Jean Cipriani could have granted the company a temporary permit to continue operating while the issues were resolved, but it was clear that council members felt the company had been given enough chances.

"Didn't we do this last year, where we gave him a time frame?" asked Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis.

The decision to deny the company a license renewal spurred the company's attorney, John Ambriosio of Montclair, to promise a lawsuit.

"Do what you want, but we'll be in court," Ambriosio said. "You're not going to put this guy out of business."

Ambriosio said the company was preparing to resolve its issues with the township, and the law calls for a hearing before a license is taken away.

"My clients learned that the license renewal was going to be restricted to six licenses … on Monday," said Ambriosio. "Simply stated, there's a property right in these licenses."

Cipriani said the "worst case scenario" of a lawsuit would involve the taxi company winning reinstatement of its license plus compensation for the time it was unable to operate.

"A likely scenario, even if there were to be action, is that there would be some discussions on the scope of their operations," she said, adding that the company's past troubles and lack of a zoning permit would bolster the township's case.

Ambriosio also said the company was in the process of negotiating a lease for a new property in Brick or Toms River.

Recently, the company's Mantoloking Road site was put up for sale with an asking price of $220,000.

Related Topics: New Mantoloking Taxi and brick nj news

bayboat

6:49 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Permits? We dont need no stinkin permits!

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JHill

7:14 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Why don't they just move to one of the 100's of vacant businesses in the town with plenty of parking?

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JD

8:49 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Just call Toth... he will have your permit expedited...

wait, your not a liquor store.

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Art Sholty

9:18 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

@JD
You're right JD. BULLET DAN, THE ABSTAINER MAN seems to be making a career out of this. Next he'll be picking on kids with a lemonaid stand because it will cause him to lose $$$ in his LIQUOR BIZ I guess he wants to get into the TAXI BIZ too. What next?.

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JD

9:35 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Art,
Actually, I don't have a problem with Toth asking to expedite a permit....
he didn't ask for it to get approved knowing it didn't meet standards...
I posted such to see who would chime in..
and I knew you would... lol

Susan

9:02 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

I agree with Jhill - move the business. That building is an eyesore anyway.

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10% Tax Cut NOW

2:20 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

TO Art Sholty,
I live in the nerighborhood - and the total disrespect of this business can not should not be tolerated anymore. What about to quality of life matters ? What happened to our Shared Services Code Enforcement Office ? What happened to the Director overseeing this Department ? Mr. Belu - he still earns a very hefty salary. Why wasn't he on top of this matter in the first place ? I would be more then happy to event you for dinner so you can see first hand what we live with each and every day.

tony c

9:16 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Close them down all they do is rob their workers anyway, you dont need them they are not the only car service in brick anyway. All those cars are illegal anyway, unfit to be on the road. Screw them.

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10% Tax Cut NOW

2:21 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Sorry for the invite mispell in my reponse to Art

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nobody

11:23 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Do you even now what that means?

JD

10:33 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Art Shoty...
Canals was probably sitting on inventory in excess of $500,000.
The town should be pro-business.
and nothing wrong that suppliers want to get paid on time... typically they pay in 45 days if you are lucky.... and most suppliers give 60 day terms on the 1st order to a new store.

again... Toth didn't ask the CO be signed off regardless of conditions,etc.. just expedite the process... that is pro-business.
nothing wrong with that...

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Art Sholty

4:29 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

@ 10% and JD.
I'll take the invite but what makes you think I run the Town? Code Enforcement is my specialty but I cannot command anyone to do something I say. Hey JD , I realize that Toth did not finish what he was saying concerning the C of O. What I do surmise is that certain words must be eliminated for fear of the ETHICS RULE. He knows, I know and I'm sure we all know what he was thinking. This is standard operating proceedure (SOP) for certain politcians, Toth being included. I like both of your comments. Toth must not be given clear sailing for trhe rest of his term because he will take these comments and use them as a get even tool.
Added adendum****** I never realized that Fosman's wife was tweeting or whatever it is. Now we can observe her and wether she approves witrh the subject or not. WOW what has happened now that the majority has changed? Can someone tell me?

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MOONPOOL

5:31 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Art; its ok now for dan to help people! he came out of the closet he is a dem now!
"TEAM SCARPELLIE HAS RISEN!"
"Toth, Ducey, Fozman, Lydecker and team scarpelli are perfect together"

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Typical Obama Voter

8:45 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Some of the older politicos in town should tell young Dan about the Brick Township councilmen that went to prison in the 1970s for doing favors for the liquor industry. Liquor licenses are Big business and there is Big money involved.

DennyD

10:38 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Hey Art,
Try some Evac Q Tabs. They'll do you good.

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Art Sholty

4:45 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

@DENNY D
IS THAT WHAT YOU USE? TELL ME SOMETHING WORTH WHILE, LIKE WHY DID YOU MOVE DOWN HERE BUT NOW CONDEM IT?

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DennyD

5:52 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Tell you something worthwhile? First, your boy Acropolis is done. Second, Toth will be the next Mayor. Third, buy a dictionary.

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Typical Obama Voter

8:51 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

@DennyD....I know you like Toth because he was a wrestler. That's fine. I used to like him also. I voted for him every time he ran for office. I am also very sad at how he let himself become wrapped up with the lousy GOP gang and Acropolis. Maybe Art is a little off his rocker and he might be a bit senile, but he is right about Dan, he pretends to care more about the taxpayers than he really does. I think Dan Toth is toast in the next election. Dan is part of the Acropolis team.

Dennis

10:58 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Good! Their vehicles are death traps too. Shocked the DOT didn't shut them down.

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Resident

11:05 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Can this towns leadership get any more petty? They are in the process of looking for a new site, have their building up for sale, removed the blacktop and you don't renew the license? So in the towns infinate wisdom, lets remove one of the options the drunks have that leave the bars around here, lets handcuff the elderly that no longer drive and use their services for everyday existence not to mention the folks that simply need their service from time to time. What did they not grease enough palms down at city hall? This towns leadership is the new Jersey Shore!

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I have spoken

11:12 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

The Democ"RATS" of this country have no respect for the business man. From the White house to municipalities....No respect for the businessman!

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Joseph Woolston Brick

11:35 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Guess Who, there is always somebody that has to turn a situation political! Congrats! The owner of this taxi service has no right having his employees or his cars parked on residential streets, in front of people's homes impeding garbage collection and mail delivery, but you want the Democrats to be friendly to this business man, what planet are you from? Want to get political? OK let's do it. How about a Republican mayor who in this article says the guy hasn't complied, when the mayor wouldn't comply during the Town Meeting the other night and threatened a cop. Hello Kettle! God I'm so glad I'm not a brain washed Republican or Democrat!

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realNJmom

12:56 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

The new site of our next Walgreens or CVS

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tony c

1:20 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Shut them down there are to many car services in brick anyway trust Me they won't be missed, like someone said before, those cars are death traps customer just dont know it, if DOT did thier jobs trust me they would have been shut down a long time ago. Those cars shouldn't be on the road.

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Resident

2:41 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

tony c, you wouldn't be the owner of a rival company now would you?

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nobody

11:26 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

you know damn well thats not true Tony...be mad but dont lie!

tony c

1:28 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Very well said, Joseph Woolston, if you didn't complied, just say good-by. Thats the bottom line, if you let him get away with it now, whats going to happen next time, he must think he is God do what ever he feels. Sorry buddy this is brick town you do what they say do. Not what you want. Comply or say good by.

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Jim

2:28 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Plenty of parking at the Foodtown wasteland.

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tony c

3:21 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

No not at all i am a carpenter local 253 .don't own cab service. You would think so though right the way i am bashing them. It is what it is. That's all.

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nobody

11:33 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Dont try to put your friends out of work. Why do you want to lie like this? This is bull and you know it. dont act this way unless you want to be truthful......carpenter?????

tony c

3:37 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

Your. Right jim alot of parking at the food town waste land. Absolutely

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can't say who

6:55 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

To everyone!!!! The dir tbag owners of the taxi company had a real problem. Not enough space in a business zone. Guess what? They own the lot right next to their building ----- all business zone. They could have gotten planning board approval asap to use this contiguous property for parking. IT’S IN A BUSINESS ZONE B2 OR B3. The slime bags wanted to screw the town THEN sell that separate piece for clear profit.

And ART SHOLTY WHO THINKS HE KNOWS IT ALL - most times you are off your rocker with made up information or your ”scoops” should be used for dog dodo scoops.

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brick strong

10:36 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

When its a conflict of interest no council member should be involved with any business that's wants to open in our township when its sounds wrong it always turns out wrong..Dan it sounded wrong and is a personal interest for a business client and sales growth for you ..It was wrong and cut the bull...

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brick strong

10:39 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012

That taxi company didn't listen to council to do changes...so see ya...town rules are made to be followed..Our rules are set for a reason..

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tony c

8:09 am on Friday, September 28, 2012

Hey nobody, sorry to burst your bubble but i have no friends there. It is what it is.

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Anthony

6:12 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012

Personally I don't care. I haven't used them since I called for a taxi at Osbournville Elementary on Drum Point and waited an hour and 15 minutes for it.

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Brick res

2:58 pm on Saturday, September 29, 2012

Councilman Moore hit the nail on the head "Obviously, they are not paying attention to what we say," said Moore. "The rules are in place for a reason, they haven't followed them."

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Mike Litoris

7:07 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012

A. They charge their drivers 50 percent and after the first 100 they want whats called an insurance fee of 5 percent I call it EXTORTION and they also make the drivers pay for the fuel.
B. Their dispatchers talk down to the customers and the drivers at all times.
C. They paved on 2 separate occasions without applying for permits which they never would have gotten from the town as the lot was zoned residential.
D. They had more vehicles than where allowed by the town on their license to operate.
E. They also were using the Medi Trans business as part of the Taxi service and that's not allowed by the town either.
F. They roped off the paved lot to get ready to rip up the pavement and parked employee vehicles up and down the side street blocking Mail delivery and garbage pick up.
G. They attempted to move the Medi Trans vans to the Exxon on Drum point rd. and Old Hooper in plain sight which is still a violation.

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Better watch out I know the law

6:38 pm on Wednesday, May 1, 2013

I own a cab company in a neighboring town. Let me say that with all due respect we are called into brick to service the township. Unprofessional ism and ignorance is the motto of this company. The guy that owns it which first name is Henry wont say last name for security reasons operates metuchen car in metuchen As a owner in the industry I can attest to the unsafeness and dirtiness of the vehicles. Someone mentioned using medical transportation vehicles as taxis?! Yes they do it every weekend. I wonder if Medicaid and logisticare no about this?? I highly doubt a medical minivan is needed at bamboo at 2am on a Saturday night?? Point being said I have had run ins wih "Henry" and he has downgraded and threatened me. I never brought it to the attention of authorities because I fight fire with fire. Yes I have 18 taxis yes I follow the rules of my township with identical guidelines as brick. So all I can say is its not that easy to run a business legitimately. I still make money but I understand I must follow rules. So hope my venting shared a insight or knowledge of Henry and how he runs his business. Oh and the way he pays his drivers is illegal. I do 50/50 split but the insurance surcharge is illegal. I pay over 70grand a year for insurance. But not once would I take advantage of my employees to cover my expenses. Oh littler birdie told me Henry has a powder problem. And I'm not talking baby powder.

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