Washingtonville approves pilot vendor permits for Sewell and Fern Island parks; board debates short-term rental rules

The Village of Washingtonville board on April 10 approved a pilot to allow food and other vendors to operate at Sewell Park and Fern Island Park under weekly solicitor permits and set a $3,000 recreation fee for new residential units, while discussing whether to ban short-term rentals in the village.

Village officials said the vendor permits are intended to help develop Sewell Park and draw people downtown. Susan (staff member) said the plan would allow a small number of semi-permanent vendors to operate from roughly May through October and that the village would charge $100 a week per business to start. “We don't wanna chase the people away who enjoy coming here to do their activities because they could probably go anywhere,” Susan said, describing the fee as a low introductory rate meant to grow the park without deterring vendors.

The pilot drew pushback from board member Paul, who questioned the visual and economic impact on downtown businesses. “I just think a bunch of food trucks parked around the village...think about what it's going to look like,” Paul said, asking whether the trucks would compete with brick-and-mortar restaurants and whether time-of-day limits or other conditions should be added.

Board members and staff said vendors would need standard health and licensing certificates and that the village would negotiate hours and placement with each vendor as part of the permit…