Selectmen Say No To Food Truck Near Norwood Hospital, Downtown Area

NORWOOD, MA — A food truck has been denied permission to operate at two locations in Norwood.

Tuesday, the selectmen voted down a request from Valentina Akyol of Gro and Kebab House to have a food truck on Washington Street in front of Norwood Hospital from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and the Town Common from 2-9 p.m. seven days a week. Selectwoman Helen Abdallah Donohue voted against the motion.

Board members cited traffic concerns and the potential damage to other businesses in the area as the reasons for passing on the proposal.

“Norwood Hospital is a very busy area with people coming and going. I think it’s highly inappropriate to have a vehicle parked at one location for four hours when the lot calls for a two-hour maximum and the same for the Town Hall area. A little too much to ask for,” Selectman Paul Bishop said.

Donohue voted against the motion, noting that she didn’t see any town rules that restrict the time of operation and location for a food truck, only that it’s up to the discretion of the selectmen.

Town rules do state that a food truck can’t park on the street without the board’s permission, according to Selectmen Chairman Allan Howard.

“It’s taking away from the businesses that are up at downtown. I don’t want to put some businesses out of business because there’s a food truck on Washington Street seven days a week. I think it’s improper,” Selectman William Plasko said.

When Thomas Maloney asked if the Hoyle Street area behind the hospital would be more favorable, Bishop said he would be open to it.

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