ITEM FILE PHOTO
Lynn City Hall.
BY BRIDGET TURCOTTE
LYNN — There could be a lot more dining choices in Lynn starting this summer.
The City Council has approved an ordinance that would allow licensed food trucks to operate in the city. The change, which required a change in the zoning laws, was also supported by the Planning Board.
Clint Muche, city deputy building commissioner, said he drafted a proposal for a zoning amendment at the council’s request, after councilors learned that Inspectional Services had received several calls from people interested in operating trucks in the city.
The panel voted unanimously to support the food truck ordinance.
Aaron Reames, founder of Bent Water Brewing Co., which serves alcohol but not food, said he is a big advocate for bringing food trucks to Lynn. He said the trucks could help bars and restaurants because they are limited by state regulations.
“We would also develop more foot traffic in the area,” Reames added.
Michael Donovan, chief of Inspectional Services, recommended the board support the zoning change to allow the so-called mobile restaurants to operate on private property, to start. Business owners would be granted a one-year license by the council to serve as a vendor in a specified location, he said.
Muche said the trucks would also be subjected to inspections by the city and would be required to follow health department regulations. Their licenses would be reviewed at 30, 60 and 90 days.
City Council President Daniel Cahill said having a mix of traditional restaurants and food trucks will appeal to people of all ages.
In addition to paving the way for food trucks to operate locally, the eight councilors present also considered mayoral vetoes.
Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy recently vetoed a council decision to reorganize City Clerk Mary Audley’s office by separating the election responsibilities from the city clerk’s duties.
Kennedy also vetoed the decision to make changes to the charter that Cahill said would make it easier for more people to become involved in local politics. But Cahill said refusing to sign the petition served the same purpose as a veto.
The council also voted to remove an amendment to an ordinance for a medical marijuana dispensary district that gave councilors the authority to decide where city money generated from a clinic would be spent.
Earlier this month, the council determined a medical marijuana dispensary district would include the non-waterfront side of the Lynnway spanning from Market Street to the General Edwards Bridge, two sites on Commercial Street and all properties on Route 107 between Belden Bly Bridge to the intersection of Western and Murphy Avenues.
Kennedy said while she supported limiting the clinics to specific parts of the city, she opposed an amendment that gives the council the authority to decide how money from a facility would be spent.
She said the amendment conflicts with the city charter, which gives the mayor authority to determine how the city’s finances are directed.
The council agreed and voted to remove the provision it felt was unenforceable and at odds with the city charter, said Cahill.
Councilor Peter Capano argued that none of the councilors or Audley had been contacted by Kennedy, and that nothing should be done prematurely.
“If it was vetoed, we could always decide then and there whether we wanted to override the veto,” he said. “At this point, we’ve had a long and lengthy discussion and that was the result. I think it would be only fair to wait and see rather than change it before we have an answer at all.”
But Councilor Darren Cyr disagreed.
“In all honesty, we don’t have any authority,” he said. “There’s no reason to have that in there. The mayor sees that as a reason to veto it and If the mayor vetoes it, it would give her the right to choose and pick where to put a dispensary.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.