Food Trucks To Be Subject Of Discussion At Board Of Selectmen Meeting Monday

First there was the taco truck. Then there was a lobster roll truck. Or was it the other way around? 

Anyway ... now, on most Fridays in Madison, the taco truck, the lobster roll truck, and the cupcake truck are often parked in front of Academy School near the center of town, and near the town green, while the Farmer's Market is underway. The trucks are often there other days as well.

The trucks are beloved by many. Except those that hate 'em. There may be some people in Madison who are indifferent, but they're hard to find. A recent post by a Madison Patch reader about the trucks has generated more than comments.

All of those truck, plus a few others that stop into Madison every now and again, will be the subject of a discussion at the Board of Selectman meeting Monday at 7:30 p.m. at town campus. 

First Selectman Fillmore McPherson said Madison Town Planner David Anderson came up with the suggestion that town officials discuss a proposed ordinance. 

"He was talking about the trucks in front of Academy. It's sort of a grey area, and may need some definition," McPherson said. "It's a discuss-only topic. We're going to talk about it." 

McPherson said Anderson may try to come up with some sort of rough draft by Monday night for town officials to consider. 

McPherson said the proposed ordinance was not prompted by any specific complaints. 

"Sure, the office does get a complaint or two, but we also get a lot of 'we're glad they're there' comments. It works both ways," he said. 

"Our main concern is that it is a grey area. And right now the only regulations that apply is that you need a permit from the police. And the health department inspects them periodically. Those are the only regulations that deal with these food trucks. We want to discuss whether we want to have an ordinance to deal with it," he said. 

Here is the full agenda for the meeting: 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013

7:30 P.M. – ROOM A – TOWN CAMPUS 

7:15 p.m.        Special Town Meeting

1.         To consider and take action on Special Appropriation request of $119,000 to cover a complete settlement of Heart and Hypertension claims for retired Officer Mangino.  Amounts to be paid over two years, $59,500 to be paid in fiscal year 2014 and $59,500 to be paid in fiscal year 2015.

            7:30 p.m.        Regular Session

1.         Pledge of Allegiance led by Eagle Scout Andrew Bastian 

2.         Approval of minutes – June 24, 2013 and Special BOS   

                                                 Meeting – June 27, 2013

3.         First Selectman’s comments

                                    4.         Citizen comments

                        OLD BUSINESS

 5.         Discuss the Senior Tax Relief Program (tabled 6/24/13)

                        NEW BUSINESS

6.         Preliminary overview from the Economic Development Commission:  Venue Management Plan                                

7.         Discuss and take action on Special Appropriation request of $100,000 to cover a final settlement of a Heart and Hypertension claim for retired Officer Anderson.  Amount to be paid over two years, $50,000 to be paid in fiscal year 2014 and $50,000 to be paid in fiscal year 2015

8.         Discuss and take action on Special Appropriation request of $25,000 from Police Services to provide funding to Wages-Vacation for vacation and sick buyouts that occurred in July 2013 to be charged back to fiscal year 2012-2013.  This deficit was due to lack of coverage during the fiscal year resulting from additional overtime needed.

9.         Discuss and take action on approval to hire Mr. Michael Vece for the position of a full-time maintainer effective Tuesday, July 2, 2013.  This is an approved, budgeted, position in the Building and Grounds Department.  Michael’s hourly rate is $17.13 per the Union Contract.

10.       Discuss and take action on awarding contract for the Island Avenue School Exterior Door Replacement to Builders Hardware, 91 Shield Street, West Hartford, CT 06110 at a cost of $16,900.

11.       Discuss and take action on calling a Special Town Meeting on Monday, August 19, 2013 at 7:15 p.m. (prior to the Board of Selectmen meeting scheduled at 7:30 p.m.) in Room A – Town Campus for the following purpose:

                        1.  To consider and take action on Special Appropriation request of $100,000 to cover a final settlement of a Heart and Hypertension claim for retired Officer Anderson. Amount to be paid over two years, $50,000 to be paid in fiscal year 2014 and $50,000 to be paid in fiscal year 2015.

                        2.  To consider and take action on Special Appropriation request of $25,000 from Police Services to provide funding to Wages-Vacation for vacation and sick buyouts that occurred in July 2013 to be charged back to fiscal year 2012-2013.  This deficit was due to lack of coverage during the fiscal year resulting from additional overtime needed.

12.       Discuss and take action on donation of $195,000 from the Strong Center at the Surf Club, Inc. for bleachers at Strong Field.

13.       Discuss and take action on proceeding with establishing a Liberty Street Historic District.

14.       Discuss and take action on acceptance of Expansion Supplement award of $29,411 from the State Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services specifically to address prescription drug abuse in FY 13-14.  This award is a bonus for CT having reached its goal in reducing underage drinking.  This is a one-time funding to recipients of the Partnership for Success grants.

15.       Discuss and take action to accept a donation of $3,000 from Neighbor 2 Neighbor/The Madison Foundation to Madison Social Services.  The money is to help families in need of financial assistance to send their five to fifteen year old children to summer camp.

16.       Discuss and take action on accepting a grant from the State of Connecticut in the amount of $34,596 for the Dial-A-Ride program.

17.       Discuss and take action on adopting the following Historic Document Preservation Grant Resolution:

RESOLVED:  That Fillmore McPherson, First Selectman, is empowered to execute and deliver in the name of and on behalf of this municipality a contract with the Connecticut State Library for an Historic Documents Preservation Grant.

18.       Discuss and take action on transferring operational scheduling of the Arts Barn (except for the Community TV area) from the Beach & Recreation Dept. to the Youth & Family Services Dept.

19.       Discuss and take action on appointing Kenneth Kaminsky as an Alternate Member on the Zoning Board of Appeals to fill a vacancy to expire November 2013.

20.       Discuss and take action on appointing Christine Bouchard to the Conservation Commission for a term to expire 1/1/2014.

21.       Recognize the resignation of David Dwyer as an Alternate Member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, effective July 18, 2013.

22.       Discuss a new ordinance relating to mobile food vendors near Academy School.

23.       Discuss the feasibility of installing an emergency generator at the Senior Center 

24.       Discuss and take action on establishing an Eagle Scout project to assist in naming Constitution Park.

25.       Tax Abatements/Refunds

26.       Liaison Reports/Selectmen Comments

27.       Adjournment