By KRISTIE LINDEN
The City of Monessen will join some other area municipalities in passing a food-truck ordinance before the summer months arrive.
Monessen council decided it makes sense to get laws on the books regarding the trucks before any issues began to pop up. Council held its first reading of the new ordinance governing the application and permitting of the vendors last month and will likely pass it into law at next week’s voting meeting.
In Charleroi, council began work on an ordinance after the presence of food trucks caused some controversy with local restaurant owners who felt the vendors were taking away from their business.
A food truck began operating to help Charleroi Volunteer Fire Department raise money, but when it became a frequent occurrence brick-and-mortar business owners cried foul.
According to an ordinance passed in 2016, nonprofit organizations are exempt from paying registration or permit fees for food trucks or similar businesses.
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