Business & Tech

High Tide Food Truck Seeking Calmer Shores

Following a fractious discussion about food trucks in town, disputes with a neighbor, and a complaint to the town's zoning officer, Rich Messier plans to move his High Tide Gourmet truck to a more amenable location.

High Tide Gourmet owner Rich Messier says he's planning to move his popular food truck to Route 80 near the North Branford/East Haven town line, following a series of problems and issues, including a complaint to the town's zoning officer. 

John DeLaura, the town's zoning enforcement officer, said Tuesday that he has received highly charged, anonymous complaints from someone claiming to be Messier's neighbor, about Messier parking his food truck at his home in his driveway in a residential neighborhood, one with small lots and houses nearby one another, off of Neck Road. 

DeLaura said, after investigating, he issued a cease and desist order because it appeared as though the truck was too heavy to be parked in a residential neighborhood, and because it has a big promotional sign painted on its side. 

Anonymous complaint investigated

"We were notified of a possible violation," DeLaura said. "It was investigated as any violation would be. It was determined that the vehicle may have been in excess of the weight that is allowed, to store a truck in a residential area. So a cease and desist order was filed." 

Town ordinances require that trucks stored in neighborhoods be 12,000 pounds or less, and it initially appeared as though the truck might have been in excess of that, DeLaura said. 

After being issued the cease and desist order, Messier provided three kinds of documentation that proved the truck was less than 12,000 pounds, DeLaura said. Messier had his food truck weighed at a certified automated truck scale in Branford, where the weight was shown to be 11,480 pounds. The truck's registration also showed it was less than 12,000 pounds, as did the truck's tag, DeLaura said.

Problem with signage remains

"He gave me three pieces of documentation," DeLaura said. "So, based on that, he was allowed to park his truck on his property. No violation." 

But the problem of the signage on the side of the truck remains, DeLaura said.

"In a residential neighborhood, you are allowed only two square feet of signage. And if you look at his truck, the side of it is kind of an advertising sign," DeLaura said. 

Another letter from town sent to Messier

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DeLaura said he recently sent Messier another letter, reminding him that the cease and desist order remains in effect because he did not file a formal appeal. In the meantime, DeLaura said, he continues to receive highly charged, emotional complaints from an anonymous complainant who is using a disrespectful tone and who is "going on the attack" both against Messier and against town officials. 

One recent anonymous email, forwarded to Madison Patch, encouraged DeLaura to "send the wrecker and have the truck removed and impounded."

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DeLaura said he is working to resolve the issue in a timely manner, in a way that conforms with the town's regulations and in a way that, if necessary, could withstand any legal challenge. He said his job is to get the matter resolved in a manner that is consistent with those goals. He said he plans to talk with Messier about his plans and to remind him that the cease and desist order remains in effect.

Messier informs town he is "working on a remedy"

The town is in the process of considering whether it should have regulations relating to food trucks and where they can park in town. But DeLaura said his office has not received one complaint about the food trucks at Academy School, where Messier often parks his truck during the day, and that the cease and desist order relates to Messier parking his truck in his residential neighborhood. 

DeLaura said he has been informed by Messier that he is "working on a remedy," DeLaura said.  

Messier said Tuesday afternoon that he would like to stay in Madison, but that the problems with the complainant to town hall are a factor in his decision to move his operation to Route 80 in North Branford/East Haven. "Madison is where I started, this is where I'd like to stay. I don't want to leave, but I have to run my business. I have to pay my mortgage," he said. 

Other food trucks coming into town

He noted that other food trucks are now coming into town as well, cutting into business.

He said he also was concerned that the nature of the debate surrounding the possibility of new food truck regulations in town may be creating concerns among customers who otherwise might hire him for special events.

He said he plans to work Route 80 in the new location from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and to maybe at some point work in Madison during next year's Farmer's Market or other special events.

New location has several advantages

He said there are several potential advantages to working in the new location, including that he can store the truck there in that location. "It's three acres of prime property, I'll have a half dozen picnic tables. It'll be like my own little food court," he said. "I'll let these guys [the other food trucks] fight it out in Madison." 

Messier said it is his goal to start in his new location sometime near the beginning of November. He said he is in the process of getting requisite approvals and licensing for his new location. 

Messier said those who need a High Tide fix will also be able to find him at some upcoming special events, including the Newport Food Truck fest this coming Saturday, at Fisherman's Wharf in Newport, RI, and at the Killingworth Pumpkin Run on Sunday on Route 81. He also will be working at the Puppy Up event at Hammonasset Beach State Park on November. 3rd. And on Superbowl Sunday, he'll be working at the Chowderfest, which is a fundraiser for the Connecticut Food Bank. More information on that can be obtained at www.chowderfest.com

Truck can be booked for special events

He said his truck also can be booked for private parties, birthdays, backyard parties, special events, and lobster bakes.

The truck's menu includes lobster rolls, clam chowder, pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers and more. 

For more information about that, Messier can be reached at (203) 605-7020 or on his Facebook page

Editor's note: Madison Patch Editor Pem McNerney is one of Rich's neighbors. 


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