Politics & Government
Food Trucks Given the OK until December 2014
The Board of Selectmen gave the green light for food trucks around Brookline.
The Board of Selectmen granted food trucks an eight-month extension and four new trucks in town.
In October of 2012, Brookline Patch reported that the Board had extended the permits for r Baja Taco Truck, Compliments Food Truck, Paris Creperie, Pennypacker's Food Truck, and Renula's Greek Kitchen at their current dates and times.
At the Selectmen’s meeting on Tuesday, April 23, Health Department Director Alan Balsam said that he had observed the food sanitation aspects of the Food Trucks and was pleased with what he saw.
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Economic Development Planner Andy Martineau said that during the PILOT program and through the first extension, complaints about the trucks have been minimal from both residents and restaurants.
“Overall, I think this program has been a success and I think that if we continue to administer it in a manner that isn’t detrimental to brick and mortar establishments or the greater community at large, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be continued.”
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Martineau addressed two complaints from Espresso Royal and from Nud Pob Thai Cuisine both issued complaints about food trucks. “These establishments have complained about a decline in business,” Martineau said. “It’s unclear that that’s solely attributable to the presence of food trucks in the area. There are a number of other variables at play besides the food trucks.”
Larry Marguiles, owner of Espresso Royal, spoke at the meeting about the detriment food trucks create for his business since Brookline gave the green light for trucks on Commonwealth Avenue and St. Mary’s Street.
“Since the food trucks started, food sales are down,” Marguiles said. He said that during the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., sales at Espresso Royale are down anywhere between four and eight percent while the food trucks are parked near by.
Selectmen Dick Benka said that he was concerned with the well being of local businesses. “They (the trucks) are not paying taxes. Unless they are headquartered in Brookline, they are not paying the food taxes in town and they’re not paying rent.”
Martineau sited that Boston University is in the middle of renovating several buildings and classrooms in the area of Commonwealth Avenue and St. Mary’s Street. The St. Mary’s location is one of the most desirable locations because of the foot traffic in the area.
Martineau said that one of the goals of the food truck programs is keeping the trucks away from brick and mortar restaurants.
Several residents spoke in favor of food trucks, saying that they provide diverse menus in town. Owners of trucks, like Bryan Peugh, who owns the Baja Taco Truck, said that he buys about $250 worth of propane from Brookline Ice and Coal on a weekly basis. He and several other trucks also employ local Brookline residents, which is they claim is their way of rewarding the town for allowing them to operate untaxed.
The Selectmen voted to extend the program from May 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014.
Baja Taco, Compliments, Paris Creperia, Pennypacker’s and Renula’s Kitchen are all returning. The new trucks in town are Fugu Foods, Grilled Cheese Nation, Lobsta Love, Bean Town Taqueria and Clover.
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