Veterans Lunchbox withdraws Dennis application as owners seek clarity on local rules for food trucks

Russell (Russ) Willacott and his wife Dawn, owners of Veterans Lunchbox, told the Dennis Board of Health on Sept. 11 they are withdrawing their application for a food establishment at 465 Route 134 to gather more information about how state mobile‑food regulations and town bylaws apply to their truck.

Willacott described a trailer built to state inspection standards with 100 gallons of fresh water and 120 gallons of gray‑water capacity, a bathroom for employees and nightly commissary cleaning. He said state practice allows a properly equipped truck to stay on private property for extended periods if commissary and water‑management requirements are met, but that the town’s regulations include a four‑hour rule that, in his view, was written for older canteen or ice cream trucks and is harder to apply to modern food trucks.

Board members questioned grease‑trap arrangements, gray‑water storage, frequency of commissary returns and waste removal; one member said the town may limit the number of mobile‑food licenses. After discussion, the board allowed the applicant to withdraw without prejudice so the owners can return with clearer documentation of how the trailer will comply with town and state rules. Members noted that hours and licensing issues may also involve the select board rather than the health board.

The board did not deny the application; it accepted the withdrawal and asked the owners to work with health‑department staff and provide highlighted copies of the applicable state and local regulations when they reapply.