Swampscott selectmen allow for beach vendor

SWAMPSCOTT – It’s got surf and sand. Soon Phillips Beach will have sausages, as selectmen voiced approval for a vendor at the entrance to Phillips Beach.”This is the type of thing I’ve been looking for,” Paul Foglia, the proprietor of Rory’s Corp, told selectmen at their Tuesday evening meeting. A Revere resident, Foglia said that he started his mobile-food vending business after retirement. But he said that he found his hometown beaches too restrictive to new vendors.Selectman Barry Greenfield had introduced the idea of a concessions stand and rest rooms at the beach during the board’s June 7 meeting. But selectmen and Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said that permanent structure or even a trailer would be too large for the available town land. The discussion settled on the possibility of a mobile cart that could be parked in the street at the entrance to the beach at the intersection of Shepard and Phillips Avenues.Foglia told Selectmen Tuesday, that his business would be ideal for the situation.He described his operation as “a hot-dog concession on steroids.” The cart – which selectmen noted looked like a cart in New York City – has a griddle and a char broiler in addition to an ice box, according to Foglia’s brochures. Foglia said he offered veggie wraps in addition to gluten-free offerings for more health-conscious snackers.Town Accountant Dave Castellarin and Selectmen’s Administrative Assistant Maureen Shultz noted that Foglia will have to get necessary permits and/or licenses from the town, health department, and police to operate. Selectmen also noted that Foglia cannot “claim” a location on the public street as a vendor.”If someone shows up next week, we have to let them be there,” noted Selectman Chair Matthew Strauss.Selectman Jill Sullivan said that one individual might like to challenge any claim to the location.”The ice cream truck will be furious,” she noted.