UPDATED: Should The Town Ban Ice Cream Trucks From Near Schools?

As temperatures start to climb, the seasonal rounds of the ice cream truck will begin.

But now there is a petition circulating that would demand that ice cream trucks stay at least 1,000 feet away from schools—at least on school days.

According to the petition, "the ice cream truck is not appropriate and it goes against everything we are working for in our schools ... in its predatory like actions ... waiting for our kids to come out of school to purchase unhealthy ice cream that is loaded with all sorts of chemicals, high fructose corn syrup, and artificial coloring."

The parent behind the petition, Abraham Dickerson, said that the petition derives out of five years of frustration watching trucks park outside elementary schools, often illegally.

"I went to the Board of Education last year (2010) and they said that it's out of their hands and that there is nothing that they can do about the ice cream truck," he said. "I also called the police department because this [one] truck has a habit of parking illegally and they always said they would send a car out but no one ever came."

In the end, he decided to start a petition and so far has garnered about 70 signatures. 

And he's gotten the support of Councilor Renee Baskerville, who said she will look into the matter and likely will introduce a resolution related to ice cream trucks at an April 5 meeting of the Township Council.

Councilor Cary Africk said Sunday that councilors have many responsibilities as elected officials but telling people what to eat is not one of them.

"Of late, some in this community seem to be so interested in telling others how to live their lives. They lecture people. Such lectures accusing others as being miscreants for not composting, not riding to work on their bikes, living in too expensive a home, working on 'greedy wall street,' etc.," he said. "Lifestyle legislation is not prudent. Education, over a longer term works better."

But when it comes to the ice cream trucks, Dickerson said that all the ingredients "are things that have been proven to contribute to diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure in our children, which eventually leads to an untimely death as we get older.

"As our schools evolve we need our surroundings to evolve with us to support a heart healthy life for our kids," he said.

For a look at the petition, go here.

In September, Dickerson, a parent of a Hillside Elementary School student, blasted the Montclair Public School District's food service at a Board of Education meeting, claiming they don't even have a sink — let alone a stove — at the Hillside cafeteria.

"We talk a lot about going green in this town ... let's talk about healthy eating for a change," he said at the time. "I observe a lot of processed foods. I think through some education and some bargaining we can get some fresh foods."

Dickerson said he wouldn't allow his child to eat at Hillside, adding that his child even brings in her own pizza from home on pizza day at the school.

"I personally don't know how the cafeteria workers do it there," he said. "Surely we can wash some salads and have some grilled chicken."