Council Moves On Change For 1-Day Transient Vendor Permits

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Council took a step to modify part of its transient vendor policy Monday night, with other steps expected to come down the line.

Council approved a proposed ordinance on introduction to put the head of a food truck in charge of background checks for every member of their truck for a one-time event with a 5-0 vote Monday night at town hall. The public hearing and final vote is set for July 8.

Under this proposal, the owner/operator of each vendor would still be required to file an application to receive a permit and obtain a background check conducted by the police department.

However, owner/operator would, in turn, be required to conduct the background check (the same background check utilized by the police department) of employees working the event and certify that the background checks will be available on the day of the event for inspection.

The owner/operator would also be required to certify that no employees with criminal backgrounds would be permitted to work the event without prior notification to the police department and its approval. Read more here: Change To Moorestown Transient Vendor Background Checks Possible

Councilman Mike Locatell reiterated his previous concern about ice cream trucks that set up in one spot near the township’s brick-and-mortar businesses, instead of driving through the township’s neighborhoods, as intended.

He proposed incorporating some language to address that issue into the proposal that was under consideration Monday night. However, Deputy Mayor Nicole Gillespie pointed out that the goal of this proposal was to protect the children of the township, and that a separate ordinance should be proposed for dealing with the business aspect.

Councilman Brian Donnelly said the township's Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) would discuss Locatell’s concerns. Donnelly is the liaison to that committee.

Township Manager Thomas Neff said the township could try to have something written up for introduction at the July 8 meeting.

Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano had an issue with council only addressing changes for one-day permits and not for the original transient vendor permit.

Part of the proposal states that the food truck vendor would pay a $75 fee and conduct the background check. Previously, vendors paid $75 per employee, and the police department conducted the background check. The permit expires at the end of the event.

The original transient vendor permit is also $75, and can be renewed every 30 days for $10. The background checks are good for up to a year.

Napolitano fears that food truck vendors will opt for the original transient vendor permit, rendering changes to the one-day event permit process useless.

Ultimately, the proposal was modified to clarify that the one-day permits can be renewed for additional one-day events for $10 over the course of the year.