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Council tables food-truck ordinance after debate over fees, commissary rules and equity
Summary
Teaneck councilors voted to table Ordinance 41-2026 — which would set caps, a $275 annual fee and commissary requirements for food and ice-cream trucks — after members and business liaisons raised concerns it could burden small, often minority-owned operators. Staff will redraft and return for reintroduction.
Deputy Mayor Debbie Belchure moved to table the proposed food-truck and ice-cream ordinance, saying it risked harming small operators and needed more work. "I would make a motion that we pull it and that we go back to our attorneys and really kind of revise it," Belchure said during the council discussion.
Supporters of tabling highlighted the $275 annual fee, stepped penalties for late payment and a commissary requirement that could force vendors to secure costly facilities for boxed ice cream. Council members cited enforcement concerns and the health department's role; Manager Jacqueline Hashmat explained the fee structure and noted the health department inspects vendors. "The actual fees are from the health department," Hashmat said, adding the ordinance maps a 200-foot buffer to protect brick-and-mortar businesses.
Opponents warned the ordinance could restrict food trucks that provide cultural cuisine and part-time livelihoods. Councilwoman G said, "Seven out of 10 food trucks in this region are owned by Latinos and African-Americans," arguing that the town should help, not hinder, those businesses. Other members pushed for tweaks — for example, removing commissary requirements for strictly prepackaged items and clarifying whether the $275 fee is new (staff said it is not new).
The motion to table (moved by Deputy Mayor Belchure; seconded by Councilwoman Goldberg) passed on a roll call: Goldberg, Pagan, Councilwoman G, Catz and Belchure voted yes; Deputy Mayor Oregon and Mayor Schwarz voted no. Council directed Manager Hashmat to work with council members on revisions and to return the ordinance for reintroduction later; some members suggested implementing any changes to start with the following summer season rather than immediately.
