Henry Raymond
Fairfax News => Current News & Events => Topic started by: vtoutdoorguymb on April 14, 2013, 05:00:02 PM
-
Just have to ask... has the town weighed in on the guy acoss from steeple market that is constantly selling stuff on his lawn? I dont really care if he does it all year, but people parking all over the side of the road there makes a dangerous area even worse. Is there something the town can do to prevent all those people from parking on the side of the road? I am getting sick of dodging traffic in that stretch...
-
I don't think there is an ordinance prohibiting activity like that, but you could always ask the select board... and if there isn't one, you could ask that one be implemented.
-
The select board checked on this 2 or 3 years ago and he said he was trying to get rid of everything. You can't get rid of every thing if you keep bringing in more stuff. Something has to be done about the cars. Maybe it's time for Skip (zoning) to pay another's visit.
-
your just jealous
-
He is in need of a parking area. Things get pretty tight in that area
-
It's not a garage sale as most of us would define it. It is obvious that it is an ongoing retail business. He's not trying to get rid of stuff, he's buying and reselling as a business enterprise. He should have to register and comply with the laws applicable, just like anyone else.
And it is certainly a traffic hazard.
As a long-term resident of Fairfax, I think he should be shut down if he is not willing and able to play by the rules.
-
This issue has been brought up before & just doesn't seem to get resolved. This man is running a business yet he gets away with paying any fees associated with owning a business. This is a high traffic area & there have been a few accidents there. What is our town waiting for to stop this?? Someone getting really hurt?? He also does not own the house, he rents it; must be some way of getting him to stop having his business there!!
-
Once again, this "garage sale" was open on the weekend; high traffic area with the store across & cars parked in the road to stop & see the goods. I just wonder when he will be made to go through the proper permit process our town has; maybe our zoning administrator can shed some light on this?
-
I know the neighbors that used to live right next to him. It's confirmed that he continually buys things and sells them at 2-3X his cost.
-
We stopped there once and it started to rain. We helped the guy cover up his wares. When we were finished, he turned around and went into the house. We didn't help him for his thanks, but even a grunt would have been nice.
-
Anybody in positions in town care to comment on this topic?
-
I'll check into it today.
-
Hi Henry,
Would you post that I have contacted Michelle and Ricky Jones, who own the
property in question, and asked them to come meet with me so we can discuss the
"perpetual garage sale." I know that Douglass Jones is the proprietor, but it is the
owners who are responsible for how their property is used.
thanks,
Skip Taylor
Fairfax Zoning Administrator
-
Thank you Skip. Just make sure this is followed through.
-
Isn't the speed limit 30 mph through the village? The road is pretty wide there. Maybe we should slow down a little more during 'his' lawn sale.
-
That area has had numerous car accidents due to low visability around the corner and over the bridge. Drivers should not have to also worry about dodging multiple cars parked half in the road. That is why businesses have parking lots. I care less about him having a business without permits, and more about the traffic hazards created by his location and parking of his customers...
-
Almost sounds like a "catch 22" situation; zoning says it falls on landlords' responsibility BUT are there any zoning laws to go by??? So does that mean that all renters can do what they want unless their landlord say otherwise?? Stop pushing it back & forth & town step up & say the renter is the one doing the business so shut him down!! I was just told by a friend a car had stopped there & the driver flung open the door to get out as a car was going by & had to swerve to miss hitting the door! An accident waiting to happen!!
-
I think what they meant was the owner faces the penalty.
-
Well I think it's just a pass off by the town. But if it's anything like what neighbors put up with the boarding house on Main st., the owners have a long time before they have to worry. Maybe the state can get involved since I bet this guy has no permits for this business; wonder if he pays sales tax?? But once again, if the state does do anything, no need to worry for awhile!
-
There are different issues here. There may be both local and state issues to look at here. Is the use of the land in line with local ordinances? Is he operating a business that is not registered with the state? Is he paying state business and sales taxes? It is not solely a town issue and we can't expect the town to respond to issues not within their purview. Maybe someone who is truly bothered by this enterprise would make a formal complaint to the agency/entity that has the responsibility to regulate the activity. It may be the State Dept of Taxes as well as local zoning. Maybe more, I really don't know. Talking with the individual, and then making a formal complaint is the route that may be most likely to result in change.
-
I hope this issue is resolved.
The interested parties have been contacted.
It should not be open again.
If anyone sees it open, please call me.
My concern was traffic safety.
All credit goes to Fairfax's Zoning Administrator Skip Taylor.
-
It was open Monday when I came home from work.
-
I think he meant as of today Lena. ~MK
-
Thanks chris and skip. Hopefully this prevents an easily avoided accident in that area.
-
What is the actual infraction Chris? The parking hazard? Or is there some ordinance against running a lawn sale more than one weekend? There are a number of elderly people who do this sort of thing to provide extra income for themselves. Mr. Jones is in a good and bad spot.
What I'm hearing here, from a handful of people is that they don't agree with what he's been doing (for as long as I can recall), so the way to handle it is to complain to the right authority and get rid of the problem. Other than parking being a hazard right there, I'm not sure I see what this guy is doing wrong. a lot of junk on his front lawn all the time, that doesn't go away, running a business and not paying fees of some sort--what would those be?
Someone with authority and knowledge of these things, please answer, as I'm interested in knowing. Thanks in advance.
-
I received the following message from Skip Taylor, Zoning Administrator:
Hi Henry,
The most recently adopted Zoning Regulations allow garage sales up to six days per year without a permit. More than six days per year falls into the retail category. Retail operations require approval by the Fairfax Development Review Board prior to obtaining a Zoning Permit. When this was brought to the attention of the property owner, he spoke to the tenant who agreed to cease operation.
Skip
-
Thanks Henry.