Erin clerk Kathryn Ironmonger has recommended town council move ahead with the county taxi bylaw.
County council had previously adopted a bylaw to licence, regulate and govern accessible taxis, taxicabs and limousines, as well as owners and drivers. That bylaw was later endorsed by all of the lower tier municipalities with the exception of Erin.
In her Jan. 24 report, the town clerk cited OPP Inspector Scott Smith’s recent presentation on the matter, but added at the time council did not really have the opportunity to decide if it was supporting the bylaw.
“We’re just really looking for a decision,” Ironmonger said.
Councillor Barb Tocher said when Smith gave his presentation, council asked if a section could be added to waive fees for taxi companies from outside of the area – but who were legally licensed in other jurisdictions.
“I don’t think we’ve had an answer on that,” Tocher said.
Ironmonger said of Smith’s comments that would not happen, but council also needs to read between the lines and consider the enforcement.
Councillor John Brennan agreed, “It hangs on the enforcement of it.”
Mayor Lou Maieron said Erin is not the only municipality that borders other municipalities with larger urban areas. He added there were issues within Erin before, and perhaps people who should not have been driving taxis were, and the town had no mechanism to deal with them.
Brennan said there are now other people in Erin interested in starting a taxi business.
“If we have nothing in place, we’d have no way of regulating it,” he said.
Council okayed the recommendation to pass the bylaw.
