Board backs public-health conditions for Backyard by Foley’s venue and approves a catering change-of-use with sewer condition

The Dennis Board of Health reviewed two commercial-use proposals on May 14 and issued conditions intended to protect public health and manage neighborhood impacts.

For Backyard by Foley’s (645 Main Street, Dennis Port), Mike Foley described a seasonal outdoor venue with food trucks, live music, games, alcohol service and portable restrooms. The Select Board had previously approved an all-alcohol and entertainment license (contingent on Building and Health Department approvals). The Board of Health recommended daily restroom servicing and daily trash pickup (with the possibility of reverting to every-other-day service if operations permit) and supported recommending an extension of vendor hours from four to six hours daily to the Select Board. An abutter, Brad Garrett, raised concerns about noise; Mr. Foley said they would work to minimize off-site noise.

Separately, the Board approved a change-of-use for On the Halfshell Catering at 317 Main Street to convert a detached one-bedroom in-law apartment into a food-preparation commissary for catering (no on-site cooking), finding the proposed change reduces system flow. Approval was contingent on Building Commissioner sign-off and a requirement that the property owner connect the dwelling to the sewer system within 90 days of the facility becoming operational and when connection is available in front of the property.

Both motions passed unanimously; the Board framed its recommendations to the Select Board and set clear Health Department conditions for allowed operations and future sewer hookups.