WESTPORT — Selectmen voted last month against allowing an embattled Route 6 dealership to retain its license to sell automobiles, effective Jan. 1. That decision isn't going to change.

The owner of F & R auto had a chance for a temporary license but failed to persuade selectmen on Monday that the business deserved a second chance.

Town Administrator Timothy King said he received a letter from the state Attorney General's office, which in the fall initiated legal action on the dealership based on consumer complaints.

"Since enforcement action, they have not seen a reform of business practices that would warrant a letter of endorsement," King said on Monday.

King said the AG's office noted that since initiating the lawsuit, there has been one consumer complaint and several instances in which the AG has identified issues with vehicles that have failed safety emissions, had mechanical problems or needed significant repair within 30 days.

"I don't think the public would be served by the board of selectmen renewing this license," King advised selectmen.

Selectman Antone Vieira Jr. noted F & R owner Francisco Correiro's stance that his business has changed since September, when a new business manager took the helm and focused on customer satisfaction. Vieira said there have still been issues since Sept. 1, according to the AG's most recent letter.

"I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. When I see this from the attorney general's office, it is hard to do that," Vieira said.

Both Correiro and his lawyer, Thomas Hallal of Fall River, said that because the attorney general's office is suing F & R, it would be difficult to obtain a favorable report from the AG.

Selectman Shana Shufelt asked Correiro what is "in it for Westport" if F & R gets its license renewed?

"I am innocent before proven guilty and I am a good taxpayer," he said. He also held up folders allegedly filled with reports of vehicles that passed inspection and were sold and vehicles that were repaired.

Correiro said in the past month he sold five vehicles to Westport residents who were happy with the purchases.

"I worked my whole life to get the dealership, which was my dream," Correiro said. "I feel they (the AG's office) are picking on me."

At the Dec. 28 selectmen's meeting, selectmen said there have been a total of 113 consumer complaints against the dealership.

Correiro said many of these complaints came after a viral video was posted by a former employee that show auto workers berating a local pizza delivery worker over tip money. Correiro and his lawyer allege that incident spurred some of the complaints.