Given the rising popularity of food trucks in the Brookline area, the Board of Selectmen granted trucks an eight-month extension on April 23, while granting permits for an additional five trucks to the scene.

“There had been very good compliance of the food trucks around the area and no foodborne outbreaks,” said Alan Balsam, director of Health and Human Services for Brookline. “We felt good about the program living up to health compliances so we voted to extend their permits to December, 2013.”

The freshly chartered trucks coming to Brookline are Fugu Foods, Grilled Cheese Nation, Lobsta’ Love, Beantown Taquiera and Clover. Baja Taco Truck, Compliments Food Truck, Paris Creperie, Pennypacker’s Food Truck and Renula’s Greek Kitchen all received extended permits for their current dates and times until the end of the year.

Andy Martineau, economic development planner for the town of Brookline, said food trucks are very “in” and since they were popular in Boston, the selectmen thought they could be something beneficial to the economy of Brookline.

“Initially the pilot program was supposed to be only six months, but then in October we decided to extend it another six months,” he said. “Now because they have been so successful, we are giving them another eight-month extension.”

Martineau said Espresso Royale and Nud Pob Thai Cuisine issued complaints about food trucks.

“Espresso Royale [and Nud Pob] had a complaint that there had been a decrease in business,” he said. “This is something that we take very seriously. The goal of the food trucks is not to hurt the businesses. It’s been tough to find a balance so far.”

Dick Benka, a selectman in Brookline, said he does not believe in unfair competition between the brick and mortar stands and food trucks.

“The issue … with food trucks is that a lot of restaurant owners have made substantial investments, they are committed to leases, they are paying property or rent taxes and they are paying meals taxes,” he said. “I am all for competition among restaurants and it’s good for the community and consumers, but I am not in favor of unfair competition.”

Benka said he hopes the economic development division of Brookline will try to determine whether the impacts caused by food trucks are true or not.

“Brookline has become a mecca for restaurants, which is wonderful and there is a certain synergy when you have a lot of restaurants in one location and people come there to try them all,” he said. “We’ve asked the economic development division to try to determine whether the adverse impacts are caused by food trucks is valid or not.”

Martineau said the intersection of St. Mary’s Street and Commonwealth Avenue is the most popular spot for food trucks because of the foot traffic of Boston University students and faculty.

Phil Emmanuel, co-owner of Renula’s Greek Kitchen, said this intersection is very important for their food truck despite claims from local restaurants that the trucks take away their regular business.

“We’ve built a rapport with customers and the professional area there [St. Mary’s Street and Commonwealth Avenue] as well,” he said. “We love being there, the atmosphere and those surrounding us.”

Kevin McGuire, co-owner of Pennypacker’s, said the eight-month extension is important for owners of food trucks because it gives them the opportunity to test out an idea without committing to a piece of real estate.

“Our two trucks have fixed locations, which is what we want,” he said. “They make money, so we’re sticking with what we have. We’re not looking to make more trucks, just do better with what we have. With trucks it’s easy. If it doesn’t work, you can just go to another spot.”

Some residents of Boston said they are excited that the food trucks are staying during the summer months.

“The smell draws me to them,” said Sheranny Montanez, 24, student at Sanford-Brown College. “You know when you can smell it that you can get good American food.”

Sara Matzkin, 72, a resident of Back Bay, said she enjoys the convenience of going to eat a food truck.

“They should be here and be able to stay because of the convenience of being able to walk about and not having to go into a restaurant and sit down to order and big meal and be charged a lot of money,” she said.

Montanez said she would like to see some of the food trucks open a restaurant in Brookline.

“I know some places have really good food, so I would like to see them in a specific place and open for more hours,” she said. “It could be a really good thing.”

Steven Dufour contributed to the reporting of this article.