About a year ago the Ridgefield Board of Selectmen voted to declare a moratorium until they could get a better understanding and process for food vendors.  There are three ice cream trucks that travel around town and two permanent locations, the hot dog cart on Main Street and another location on Route 7 on the south end of town.

People have gone to Town Hall looking for permits to have parking locations on Main Street.  That includes flower trucks, fresh vegetables and specialty food items like crepes.  The Board decided that before approving additional permits, they wanted to understand the positives and negatives associated with a food truck. 

First Selectman Rudy Marconi says a food truck has a fixed, single cost of overhead whereas a restaurant has to pay rent, utilities and additional payrolls.  If it is a food vendor seeking a permit, Marconi says they don't want it to park right in front of a restaurant.  He says that leads to a discussion of where would they locate.

The Board of Selectmen is hoping to put together an ordinance that is fair to everyone in town.

Marconi spoke with one restaurant owner, who purchased his own truck to cater parties and other events.  He discussed the issue of an independent food truck selling similar products right in front of the restaurant.  Marconi said the restaurant owner agreed that he wouldn't want a competitor in the parking lot.

Marconi says the Board has to make a decision one way or another, whether it's to allow permits carte blanche or to put some restrictions in place.