BRAINTREE — Town officials on Tuesday considered a controversial ordinance that would require Uber drivers to obtain permits, thrusting Braintree into the center of a statewide debate over how to regulate the popular ride-hailing service.
But the town's Licensing Board voted unanimously to table the measure until after a state public hearing in September, when Governor Charlie Baker is expected to tout legislation to regulate services such as Uber and Lyft, which connect people to transportation through digital apps.
On Tuesday, the mayor and Braintree's Town Council president urged the Licensing Board to wait until after September to act. In a letter to the board's chairman, James Casey, they cited the governor's attempt to create uniform standards and avoid a patchwork of regulations.
"We remain concerned about the ability to enforce this type of local regulatory program and the confusion that it may cause with the general public," the letter read.
Casey said that he always considered the ordinance an interim measure to regulate drivers before an official statewide measure was adopted.
Taxi companies in Braintree fumed about the decision to table the ordinance, while Uber representatives were euphoric.
"We are extremely disappointed. We thought we'd get some closure today," said Greg Najjar, the owner of Braintree Best Taxi. With ride services, he said, "There is no safety. There is no regulation. . . . Someone's going to get hurt."
Najjar added that he will likely have to lay off 40 employees because of the effect of Uber on his business.
A crowd of Uber drivers and Uber supporters held a tame demonstration outside the Town Hall meeting Tuesday afternoon. The group was thrilled by the decision.
Meghan Verena Joyce, who grew up in Braintree and is now the general manager for Uber on the East Coast, hailed the day as a "victory for the people of Braintree."
Uber drivers who frequent the Braintree area, such as Roger Homan of Milton, said they believe their company is the way of the future.
"My heart goes out to the taxi drivers," Homan said. "But you have to realize it's 2015. . . . You've got to get on board. You've got to modernize yourself."
Homan listed technological improvements, from cellphones to cars, that have improved people's lives while putting industries out of business.
The Braintree ordinance would require a $25 annual fee for permits and authorize the town to run background checks on Uber drivers. Permits would be "granted to a suitable person of good character," according to a draft proposal.
No permits would be granted to those under age 21, those who cannot understand English, or anyone who is not a citizen of the United States or legal alien, according to theplan.
Cathy Zhou, the general manager of Uber Boston, denied the implication that Uber is unsafe.
"Safety is our top priority," Zhou said, calling Uber's background checks "rigorous."
The Braintree meeting came a day after Cambridge taxi drivers protested against Uber by staging a one-day strike. The drivers said the company unfairly undercuts established taxi companies by circumventing regulations.
Baker has proposed legislation that would require Uber drivers to obtain a license from the state and be subjected to criminal background checks, but largely supports allowing the company to continue operating in the same way.
A separate bill in the state Legislature, introduced last month and cosponsored by Senator Linda Dorcena Forry , a Dorchester Democrat, and Representative Michael J. Moran, a Brighton Democrat, would require drivers to obtain more expensive commercial insurance, register their cars as livery vehicles, and participate in more stringent background checks.
Uber started a petition Tuesday to fight the legislation. The petition contends the legislation would limit consumer options and kill thousands of jobs.
The Legislature is expected to debate the two proposals in September.
Monica Disare can be reached at monica.disare@globe.com.