By Cassandra Sottile
Elm Staff Writer
A Food Truck Ordinance was passed in Chestertown that would allow food trucks to operate at private commercially zoned locations. This so-called pilot program is strictly allowing operation on three town owned streets — Park Row curb on the north side of Fountain Park, Memorial Plaza in front of the courthouse, and near Washington College on Speer Road. Operation hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. An exception to the use of the courthouse side of Memorial Plaza is when therei s a funeral at Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
There are currently two food trucks — Papa Smurf and the Black Burro — taking advantage of the pilot program. More trucks may be added in the future. According to Resolution 2016-03, the pilot program will last for 12 months and allow up to four town-licensed food trucks to operate.
Prior to the trucks opening for business, the owners must pass a background investigation and obtain a license from the Motor Vehicle Administration and the Kent County Health Department. Food truck operators must provide proof of the State/County licenses and permits from the Health Department in a visible display as well as evidence of liability insurance in the amount of at least $1 million.
According to the resolution’s requirements said that all food truck owners must use their own power and generators in accordance with the Town Noise Ordinance regulations, and must collect and remove any trashcans in addition to maintaining their own area. If any of the requirements set by the Town Ordinance are not met, the food truck will lose its right to operate in town. The town is also not liable for the trucks to operate on private property.
The requirements were included in the ordinance to alleviate concerns that the trucks would take away business from restaurants. In addition to the strict operation requirements, no food truck is allowed to set up within 150 feet of an existing restaurant or during the
Farmer’s Market hours on Saturday mornings.
The goal of the amended ordinance is to remove the town operating fee, $1,000 a month, which was initially established in the 1980s to keep ice cream trucks from neighborhoods.
The Black Burro, operated by Ashley Herr, was the first food truck to gain a license in Chestertown. Herr previously only set up her truck for private, special events.