Paterson food truck owners push back against proposed city ordinance
City Council members are discussing the proposal, which would limit operating hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., cap the number of licenses issued and restrict where trucks can park in the city.
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Food truck owners in Paterson are pushing back against a proposed city ordinance that would change how they operate, saying the new rules could threaten their businesses.
Maria Garcia has worked at a food truck on Market Street for the past two years. Now she worries her job could be at risk if the proposal moves forward.
“No, no, no, it’s not fair. We employees depend on this food truck. There are about eight of us who work here,” Garcia said.
City Council members are discussing the proposal, which would limit operating hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., cap the number of licenses issued and restrict where trucks can park in the city.
Food truck owner Marvin Hernandez said the changes could force some businesses to shut down.
“We might have to close our businesses now,” Hernandez said.
He added that most of his sales happen late at night and early in the morning and limiting those hours could significantly impact revenue.
Councilman Luis Velez said the ordinance was drafted without input from the community.
“There was no input from the people that work at nights and bring food to the table, and to implement something that really is going to hurt them as a small business in the city of Paterson,” Velez said.
At a council meeting last week, members cited safety and parking concerns as reasons for the proposal.
Some vendors say they feel unfairly targeted.
“They’re trying to blame the small businesses. I think it’s not fair for us,” Miguel Francisco said
The proposal remains under discussion by the Paterson City Council.
