Board debates food-truck inspection rules and weekend inspection fees; seeks state guidance

The board spent significant time reviewing new fire-inspection requirements for food trucks and how the town should implement them. The supervisor proposed a one-time annual inspection and a $50 fee if town staff must perform an inspection on an event day outside regular business hours, with the fee waived if the operator schedules inspection during regular hours.

Members reported conflicting guidance from other municipalities and the Association of Towns. The town attorney and board members said that while the Association of Towns takes a conservative approach, the Department of State's code-division interpretation would be authoritative. One board member called the law "ridiculous" and said it merited additional review; the board ultimately agreed to seek a definitive answer from the state before finalizing fees or rules. Current local fee levels were recited in the meeting: $20 for a one-day permit, $250 for a half season and $500 for a full year, and the board discussed whether annual inspections could be valid for a year like insurance.

Next steps: staff will seek clarification from the Department of State and return with recommended ordinance language and fee structure for approval.