TRURO - A pair of taxi drivers will have to wait another week before finding out if they can drive cabs in Truro.
Town council started to hear two appeals from Michael Saltzman and Anthony Seeton on Monday before moving the discussion in camera based on legal advice from its solicitor.
"I think it might be productive for council to deliberate further on this in camera because I think there is some legal advise that might be helpful to council," Charles Thompson told council.
On Tuesday chief administrative officer Jim Langille told the Truro Daily News council would hold a public session July 15 at 6 p.m. to hear the appeal.
Police Chief David MacNeil, who administers the taxi bylaw, declined the license earlier this year for both men for different reasons. Taxi drivers have to renew their license on an annual basis.
Saltzman was denied because he was convicted of assault, while Seeton had three driving offences. The bylaw states anyone convicted of an offence where violence against a person was used, threatened or attempted cannot be issued a license. It also says people with three driving offences in a 10-year period or two in a 12-month period are not to be issued a license either.
"The bylaw is fairly clear as far as my authority," MacNeil said. "There's no room for interpretation."
Without a taxi license, drivers are not allowed to pick up or drop off a fare in town.
"I have been driving taxi here in town for 17 years now and had no other convictions," Saltzman told council. "This is my livelihood in order to support my family."
Coun. Charles Cox said the bylaw appears to be "somewhat harsh."
"Quite frankly, I find it very uncomfortable to be talking in a public forum this way about someone's livelihood," added Mayor Bill Mills. "I think council should revisit the bylaw about the whole appeal process."
jmalloy@trurodaily.com
