Committee approves taxi and livery license renewals, raises enforcement concerns about honking, double parking and out‑of‑city liveries

The Ordinance Committee reviewed renewal applications from several taxi and livery companies on April 8 and forwarded them to the full City Council with favorable recommendations. Companies that received committee referrals included American Taxi, Liberty Taxi, Popular Taxi, Merrimack Taxi Corporation and a number of local livery operators (5 Star Express, Rio Hondo, and others). Most renewals were approved by voice vote after the police department confirmed inspections and licensing paperwork were on file.

The meeting featured an extended public safety and quality‑of‑life exchange between councilors, police staff and company representatives about horn use, double parking and liveries based outside Lawrence. Chair Mark Laquan and Vice Chair Selena Reyes pressed owners and police to reduce roadside double‑parking and avoid prolonged horn use as a passenger‑notification device. Laquan noted that “double parking… makes it impossible for other drivers to get by,” and he encouraged companies to instruct drivers to circle the block or call customers when delays occur. Sgt. (Police Department) and Detective Hagedy said the department has begun investigations into instances of drivers who repeatedly pick up on streets and into reports of out‑of‑city liveries occupying residential parking spaces; Detective Hagedy said plates were photographed and the department is following up.

Several company owners described steps they said they had taken: some use an app or dispatcher callbacks instead of horn honks, and some review driver behavior and conduct periodic checks on driving speed and conduct. One company representative said the operation uses an app and monitors driver speeds a couple of times per week; another representative described using a base dispatch that will call customers if a passenger does not immediately come out when the vehicle arrives.

Committee members and police also discussed the difference between taxis and liveries under local ordinance: liveries operate on reservation and are expected to return to their origin city, while taxis accept hails and calls; the committee asked police to investigate liveries that appear to be parked in Lawrence as a de facto base. Councilors asked the police department to accept emailed complaints with medallion numbers and to follow up with company bases; the committee said it wants better coordination so neighborhood parking pressure can be addressed.

All taxi and livery renewals reviewed at the meeting were forwarded to the full council with favorable recommendations; the committee asked police and companies to continue enforcement and education work on honking, double parking, school‑zone safety and out‑of‑town liveries.