The Boothbay Harbor planning board has released a questionnaire ahead of an Aug. 7 workshop to discuss possible ordinances on mobile food vending. The board wants to gauge the public on how mobile food vending – defined as food trucks, carts, trailers and stands – should be governed in the downtown business district.

The only food cart business the town can reflect upon is Brud’s Hot Dogs, which operated at the intersection of McKown, Oak and Commercial streets, and other locations without competition for 61 years. The cart was operated by Newbert “Brud” Pierce, Boothbay Harbor’s “Hot Dog King,” and the business came to an end in 2004 when Pierce was denied a victualer’s license.

Since Brud’s Hot Dogs, little has been brought before town boards until this year. With no language governing this niche of business besides language for standard restaurants, the select board asked the planning board in May to begin considering amendments to more easily allow portable food businesses to get permits. However, the planning board now questions if certain regulations should be considered.

The questionnaire has 10 yes-or-no questions: Do you think the Town should have regulations regarding this activity? Should this activity be allowed on private property in the business zones? Should this activity be allowed on public property? Should there be a limit on the distance this use can be from an existing restaurant? Should there be a limit on the total number of mobile vendor permits issued? Should there be some exceptions for special events? Should there be different regulations for private and non-profit vendors (civic groups, schools, etc.)? Should there be time limits on a permit (hours of operation, number of days or weeks)? Should there be limits on the type of items offered for sale? What do you think a reasonable permit fee would be?

The questionnaire was made available July 19 at the town office and is intended to provide community members unable to attend the workshop a form of communication with the board. The public is encouraged to fill out and submit the questionnaire before the workshop – scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 7 – though it can also be completed and submitted at the workshop.