Belchertown eyes regulations allowing expansion of food trucks

BELCHERTOWN — Food trucks may soon roll into Belchertown on more days than Food Truck Fridays.

The Select Board began developing a policy to allow food trucks on public property at its Nov. 17 meeting. In August, the board denied an application for a food truck on Town Common because the town had no strict regulations for food trucks. This new policy will give the town enforcement over the number, locations and hours of operations of food trucks.

“We do say we want to invite businesses to town,” Select Board Chair Lesa Pearson said. “We don’t want to make it [regulations] so difficult because the other complaint is other towns have food trucks, why don’t we?”

The discussion comes as Northampton considers revoking their ban on food trucks and mobile food carts in that city’s downtown. During the Ordinance Review Committee meeting on Nov. 12, some brick-and-mortar business owners spoke about concern of increased competition. Other residents and business owners view food trucks as a lively addition to downtown nightlife.

This same debate occurred between Select Board members in Belchertown. Board member Jonathon Ritter wants to ensure food trucks could not out-compete local businesses that pay property taxes and support town programs. Town Manager Steve Williams said he does not know how food truck taxation operates, but would find out.

“I’m just trying to think of our local businesses,” Ritter said. “We harp on them a lot and we want to protect them. Our local businesses provide a lot to our youth sports and our high school sports. Taking that business away from them could hurt those youth organizations.”

However, Select Board member Nicole Miner views competition is part of running a business. A strict policy could steer away potential revenue that the town needs.

“We say on one hand, ‘We want businesses to come to town, we want the revenue,’” Miner said. “Then we say on the other hand, ‘but we don’t want to upset who we are.’ It’s such a balance.”

Amherst successfully manages to balance both of these needs, board member Whitney Jorns-Kuhnlenz said. She noticed the town’s policy limits the number of permits and designates very specific areas for food trucks.

“They also have a different population base,” Ritter said. “They have 25,000 college kids.”

Under the draft policy, food trucks must comply with all state and local safety and health regulations. The Board of Health must issue a mobile food permit. The Fire Department needs to inspect the premises for fire safety measures. The mobile food business must register with the state and show proof of hawker and peddler licenses.

Food trucks cannot park overnight or handicap spots, fire lanes or public rights of way the policy says. They must provide trash and recycling bins.

Ritter and Jornz-Kuhnlenz plans to craft a more detailed policy with insight from Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce President Jacob Robinson. They will present the policy at a unknown date.

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