September 17, 2015

Mark S. Winter, Esq., attorney for the applicant, approached the podium, Mr. Winter stated that the application was last heard at the August 20, 2015 meeting and detailed the application. Mr. Winter called the owner of the Taxi Company and the property as his first witness. Konstantinos Staikos approached the podium and was sworn under oath. He said that he is the owner of the property located at 570 Bloomfield Avenue in Bloomfield New Jersey as well as being the owner of the applicant, Black and White Taxi Company. Mr. Winter asked Mr. Staikos how long the Black and White Taxi Company has been in business; he said eighty (80) years. Mr. Winter asked Mr, Staikos when he purchased the Black and White Taxi Company; he said twenty (20) years ago. Mr. Winter asked Mr. Staikos how many locations he has for the taxi company; he said four (4). Mr. Staikos said they are located in Bloomfield, Belleville, Montclair and Caldwell New Jersey. Mr. Winter asked Mr. Staikos how many taxi cabs in his fleet; he said twenty five (25). Mr. Winter asked Mr. Staikos where he currently keeps the taxi cabs; he said in Bloomfield. He said he parks them at his Bloomfield Avenue property and rents ten (10) parking spaces in the municipal parking lot in Bloomfield. Mr. Winter asked Mr. Staikos what the hours of operation are for the company; he said that dispatchers are on call 24/7 and repairs to the cabs are done on Monday to Friday between 7 am and 5 pm; Saturday between 8 am and 2 pm. He said they are closed on Sunday. Chairman Buechler asked Mr. Staikos what the Belleville facility is; he said it is just an office. Mr. Staikos said that there is no office in Montclair and Caldwell; he said that they just have a license to operate in those towns. Mr. Staikos said that they are proposing a satellite office in West Orange and will keep their office in Bloomfield. Mr. Schwartzbaum asked Mr. Staikos where they repair their taxis; he said on Glenwood Avenue in Bloomfield. Chairman Buechler asked Mr. Staikos how many vehicles he parks in Bloomfield; he said eighteen (18). Chairman Buechler asked Mr. Staikos if he has an office and repair facility in Bloomfield; he replied yes. Mr. Staikos said he has an office on Bloomfield Avenue and a repair facility on Glenwood Avenue.