Town Selectmen Penalize Cab Company

The Norwood Board of Selectmen ended its public hearing involving Anjoul Cab of Norwood, Inc. on Tuesday night, June 14, and approved a motion to suspend one of company's four cabs for six months.

The hearing involving the cab company started in regards to complaints against the business. During the meeting, Norwood Police Officer Paul Murphy said one such filed complaint on March 23 involved a mother whose son wanted to be taken to Curry College in Milton from Westwood. It was alleged the cab driver demanded $30 instead of the usual $20 meter rate, Murphy said during the meeting.

During the encounter, the complainant said the "son was very intimated and afraid of the cab driver," so he paid $30, Murphy said.

Murphy and Tony Anjoul, owner of Anjoul Cab of Norwood, Inc., met on May 12 to discuss the incident. Murphy said Anjoul initially did not acknowledge that the boy involved with the complaint rode in one of his company's cabs, but he later admitted knowing about the incident the day after it happened in March.

Selectman Paul A. Bishop referred to the town's hackney rules and regulations regarding taxi meters during the meeting, as it was alleged the meter was turned off during the ride. The law stipulates that the meter must remain on when the taxi is engaged.

Hearing enough evidence, Bishop motioned to revoke all of the company's licences with Norwood.

But the punishment did not have support from any other board members.

"I don't think that the punishment that was just offered is appropriate at this time," said Selectman William J. Plasko, who motioned to suspend only one licence.

A six-month suspension of one licence was approved by a three to two vote.

Other Meeting Notes:

Earlier in the meeting, the board received a construction update on the new Norwood High School by Project Manager Tim Bonfatti. 

"Our main efforts are focused on getting ready for the demolition to the existing school," he said. "(We're) moving pretty much on double shift to begin that. We spend a lot of time to be sure everything is in order."

With more than half of the furniture placed inside the new building, officials are targeting a Sept. 1 opening date of the school. A public touring might be scheduled in mid-August.