Opinion ID: 781619
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Motiva's Attempt To Terminate the Franchise

Text: 33 By letter dated November 13, 2000, Motiva sent Ceraso a Notice of Termination of G-77C Lease (the Termination Letter). The letter stated, in pertinent part, that 34 the Lease and Agreement and your franchise relationship with Motiva will be terminated effective February 17, 2001, under the provisions of the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 2801, et seq. (the Act). This action is being taken for the following separate and distinct reasons: 35 1. Your knowing failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations relevant to the operation of the marketing premises, namely your receipt of an Order to Comply dated 12/17/99 issued by the Town of Fairfield, CT (Town) because you had more than 5 vehicles stored or parked on the lot.... Following an order to show cause hearing before the Town Board of Zoning Appeals on November 2, 2000, at which you appeared with counsel, your special exception permit was revoked. 36 2. Your failure to abide by the conditions of the Town special exception permit by having too many vehicles parked on the marketing premises which is also in violation of Section 9(b) of your Lease and Section 21 of your Sales Agreement. The affected provisions of your agreements with Motiva are both reasonable and of material significance to the franchise relationship. 37 3. Your failure to exert good faith efforts to carry out the provisions of the franchise, namely your continued practice of parking too many vehicles on the marketing premises after the Town's demands and following Motiva's September 27, 2000, letter to you also demanding that you comply therewith and correct other identified image violations at the station. 38 (Termination Letter at 1.) Notwithstanding the third numbered paragraph's reference to a letter from Motiva to Ceraso dated September 27, 2000, the parties agree that there was no such letter of that date. 39