RFS 8064 assigned. If received outside of normal business hours, we will investigate this issue on the next business day.

Issue acknowledged

Vendor truck still there today! The poor tree roots could be getting crushed! Do we need to call city parking enforcement or police to get something done at OUR public green space?

This is an approved and permitted location for this vehicle by Parks, Recreation and Waterfront.

Great addition to the park, nice people that make good food!

Maybe we should just turn City Hall into a McDonald's... looks like that's where we're headed. Burlington Parks needs to rethink their strategy of cheapening our city.. This was someone's very bad idea and it should be appealed.

Bring it up with your city councilor, I think you will find the majority of residents like to support local businesses that our friends, family, and neighbors put time and effort into! So much great progress happening in this fine city lately.

I disagree with the parks being turned in to a fair grounds.The city is degrading itself .Business owners that have a store front are stuck paying more that the fees if the city is charging any.

Thank you, I will bring it up with my city councilor as well as a letter directly to the mayor's office. I'm happy to support local businesses. But this eyesore of a food truck could as easily be parked in a metered, paved parking spot somewhere around the perimeter of the park... not in the middle of it on precious green space. I think my friends, family, and neighbors care as much (if not more) about the green beauty of our city as they do the green paper in their pocket!

I agree I will also contact the proper people that are letting this happen. I suggest that all pass on their concerns about the appearance of our parks !

I agree that it would be better for the truck to parked around the perimeter of the park instead of inside it. However, I can't help but sense a lot of hypocrisy in some of the comments here. The Farmer's Market actually causes way more damage than this lone vehicle, and when it comes to fair grounds, I needn't even mention what routinely goes on at the waterfront. Returning to the subject of City Hall Park specifically, I used to enjoy the green space a lot more when there were a few tables to sit at and eat my lunch, and when I wasn't always being begged for money. So I perhaps we should all be looking for creative solutions to try and return the park to a more welcoming place.

I agree. The city needs to rethink some things.

I've seen the Wafel Wagon sitting there on weekdays as well as at the Farmer's Market, but it never seems to be open for business. It seems to be not much more than a rolling billboard.

Agreed as well. But hulking food trucks don't feel like the right answer...

Issue closed

Update- This issue was raised at last night's Planning Commission meeting where 2 commissioners expressed their concerns about allowing a private vendor truck to damage the grass and potentially compact tree roots at our City Hall Park, one of the few public green spaces in downtown. The pollutants and noise from the vendor truck's generator impacting the environment of this precious natural resource were other concerns mentioned.

I don't care why the truck is there, to me the issue is who's padding whose pockets for this space.
What if I wanted to park my food truck in the park and I'm not friends with anyone influential? I'll bet I couldn't get permission. Burlington is getting way too clicquey with the present government in place

Get over yourself Carole. Look into the permitting process before you accuse hard working honest folks of curruption.

I notice nobody is coming forth with the owner of the waffle wagon and if that owner happens to be in any way connected to present officials or influential. No need to get over myself...are you saying there is a chance that I might get a permit to park my vehicle or business in City Hall Park?
That brings forth a giant chuckle.

Hey Carole. As a supporter of local small businesses like the one in question here, I find it alarming that you would be so quick them of buttering up the Parks and Rec dept. These are hardworking Americans trying to earn their place in this community, perhaps you would have a chance of getting a City Hall food truck permit of you had the business savvy to do so- which I suppose brings forth a chuckle here as well.

Why would you attack me as not liking small businesses just because I wonder, quite justifiably, if something is wrong when only ONE food truck is allowed on the grounds of the park.
Wondering out loud how many food trucks can get that permission....I doubt it's because of business savvy else all those other hard-working food truck owners would be there also.
Makes me kind of wish there was a food truck at my corner, mmmm good.

Carole; a quick Google search yielded the food truck's Facebook page, which in turn led me to the owner. He happens to be a neighbor. I'm suspecting that the food truck isn't a product of a high level conspiracy or anything; just some guy trying to sell waffle sandwiches.

I don't have any issue with the owner of the truck at all I am sure he probably is a real nice guy and a wonderful neighbor...the question I have is why can't others park their trucks there also. I can't believe, as some others suggested , that it is business savvy. I really don't like the appearance of cronyism that this seems to suggest and that seems to be rampant in Burlington at present. I thank you for your explanation though

Carole, I'd like to apologize for being so rash earlier with my statements. The park space is something for everyone and therefore a discussion for the community to engage in together. This discourse is good. The question of nepotism still looms over any structured hierarchy where people are invested with the power to act. Will this ethic impose it's will upon our freedom in Vermont??? I cannot tell. Politics and favors oft go hand in hand on the national level -- just look to the oppressive influence donors like the Koch brothers in the upcoming election--. Is America a democracy anymore? No, not entirely. Not when the funders can control our politicians and the bureaucracies they support. I still believe Vermont remains free. I earnestly hope this rogue waffle man is not indicative of my false hope that I still live in a pocket of real America.

Thank you, I can agree with this statement.

We are acknowledging this on behalf of the parks department and forwarding the work order to them.

Truck is no longer on the grass.