Lawsuit Promised by Taxi Company After License Renewal Denied

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.