Commissioners listen for public's input

Williamston’s food truck ordinance was the topic of discussion Monday evening at a special meeting of the town’s commissioners.

They met to gather input from citizens and business owners on changes needed to the town’s ordinance.

“So we’re going to hear from the public any comments pertaining to chapter 95, specifically, or exhibit A chapter 117 specifically. This is not a free for all talk about whatever you want to,” Williamston Mayor Dena McCall said. “We’re here to listen to comments regarding food vendor ordinances pertaining to Chapter 95 and Exhibit A, Chapter 117.”

An incident occurring at the Main Street Stage on Saturday evening, May 4, prompted the meeting after a non-permitted food vendor was asked to leave the venue by Williamston Police, raising concerns from those attending the event.

Downtown Williamston’s Main Street Tea Room proprietor Paula Gianpaolo was the single person addressing the ordinance, outlining her concerns at the meeting. Gianpaolo is the wife of Williamston Commissioner Anthony Gianpaolo.

Paula Gianpaolo said she didn’t feel something happening every week through October could be considered a special event.

“There is no definition of special event,” said Paula Gianpaolo.

She voiced her primary concerns regarding the distance food trucks can be from restaurants and better defining of “special events.”

“Let me interview you again. I’m listening to what you want changed or don’t want changed. So that’s the reason for this meeting is so we can absorb information from the public about what they like. So I like it. You like it. So you want it to stay the same?,” asked McCall

“Sure,” said Gianpaolo.

“Okay. Anything else?, asked McCall

“No, I guess you can’t touch on that,” said Gianpaolo, referencing another item.

The mayor confirmed that was the case.

“Well, we’re trying to maintain order and get through the meeting. All right. Anybody else wishing to speak about chapter 95 or exhibit A chapter 117?” said McCall.

Commissioner Glinda Fox claimed the distance vendors are required to be set back from restaurants needed to be addressed.

“As our current Main Street is laid out, it’s so short that there would basically not be any restaurant or any food vendor who would be able to locate on Main Street with restaurants on Main Street,” she said. “Especially if we increase the number of restaurants on Main Street. To me, and I have looked at other ordinances of other towns, Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina, and others, and many of them are 50 feet, some of them are 100 feet, but 100 feet seems to be the average, but I think in our case, because of the width of our street or the length of our street, that 50 is more in line with what we’re looking to do in the future.”

Fox also highlighted trash, grease and food removal would need to be the responsibility of the vendor and voiced concerns that waste was not disposed of in the town’s sewer system.

Throughout the meeting the commissioners discussed the number of food trucks to be allowed at one time in one area, the acceptable level of loud noise and which event were considered special.

The commissioners are planning to review and rewrite the ordinance in an attempt to alleviate the confusion the current ordinance provides. The process is ongoing.

In the meantime the current ordinance is in force and the regulations will be used for future permitting.