Residents press council on long‑running food‑truck hazard, stop‑sign safety and newsletter concerns

During the open public‑comment period, multiple residents asked the council to address neighborhood enforcement and safety concerns.

Charmaine Francis, who identified herself as an Englewood resident, said she has repeatedly reported a food truck parked at 263 Cambridge Avenue that she described as a hazard because an extension cord runs from the truck across the sidewalk. “It’s still there. Nothing is done,” Francis said, adding that her 88‑year‑old neighbor must navigate the cord. She said she had supplied photographs to the city and asked what residents should do when the city’s prior responses have been slow.

City Manager Hoffman said the problem has multiple enforcement elements: the vehicle lacks a commercial license plate, the food truck has not been inspected by the health department, and property‑maintenance enforcement has been pursued in court. Hoffman said property‑maintenance staff would revisit the location and that the city has contacted the motor‑vehicle commission in pursuit of a remedy.

Other commenters raised traffic‑safety concerns at Jones Road exits off Route 4 and asked for more visible or blinking stop signs because drivers frequently fail to stop at the ramps. Diane Jansen also returned to public comment to reiterate a preference for a “dry” downtown (no cannabis retail) or for siting that would keep retail visible and centrally located.

Council members asked staff to have property‑maintenance and police review the Cambridge Avenue matter and to check stop‑sign visibility at the Jones Road ramps. The council president and city manager said staff would continue to pursue court and administrative steps.

What’s next: staff will send property‑maintenance back to the Cambridge Avenue location, pursue pending court action and motor‑vehicle commission follow‑up, and have police evaluate stop‑sign visibility and enforcement at the Route 4 exits.