Garage sale permit? Seriously?

Am i wrong, or do we actually need to pay for a permit to hold a garage sale? If this is true, how is it possible that with the already obscene property taxes we pay, we need to pay the village for something that we're doing on our own property?

While at first having to pay for a permit may seem outrageous, it's not about the money. It's about limiting the number of garage sales.  Ever driven through a town where there's permanently crap out on someone's lawn that they're trying to sell? It's to prevent the same here. 

yeah I get that. So why not just limit the number of sales each weekend and not charge for the permit? It's only $10 but at this point it's a matter of principle. With taxes that are absurdly high and we get nothing for them

thats crap.  We get plenty for our taxes.  Stop whining and think about the police, fire department, public works, county parks, and schools.  That stuff is expensive.

Really? You're upset about $10?  What is the principle that you're upset about?  No doubt it is expensive to live here. But, $10?  

gerryl said:

Really? You're upset about $10?  What is the principle that you're upset about?  No doubt it is expensive to live here. But, $10?  

Um yes, I'm upset that the village charges for a permit, with taxes that are ridiculously high already. They nickel dime us to death here, in my opinion. At least if the schools were good, the high taxes might possibly be somewhat justified...but they're not. They're average at best. So to be clear, its not the $10, its the principle BEHIND the $10.

Please remember to take your signs down when the sale is over. It's surprising how often public works has to remove yard sale signs. I see this regularly since I live at a major intersection and have a telephone pole in my yard. Another legit reason to charge $10. 

I just think if you're going to get more than temporarily annoyed by something as minor as that, you might consider practicing mindful meditation so you can learn to let things go. In the scope of things, this permit is minor. It is expensive to live here. For some it is worth it. For others not.  Principle is a story you tell yourself. 

Zeus2112 said:

At least if the schools were good, the high taxes might possibly be somewhat justified...but they're not.  They're average at best. 

Our schools are WAY above average.  While there are certainly exceptions, for most kids and families, they are very good to great!  It's one of the reasons people want to move here.

Doing away with the permit fee for garage sales would not improve the schools.

Zeus2112 said:

gerryl said:

Really? You're upset about $10?  What is the principle that you're upset about?  No doubt it is expensive to live here. But, $10?  

Um yes, I'm upset that the village charges for a permit, with taxes that are ridiculously high already. They nickel dime us to death here, in my opinion. At least if the schools were good, the high taxes might possibly be somewhat justified...but they're not. They're average at best. So to be clear, its not the $10, its the principle BEHIND the $10.

Zeus2112 said:

Um yes, I'm upset that the village charges for a permit, with taxes that are ridiculously high already. They nickel dime us to death here, in my opinion. At least if the schools were good, the high taxes might possibly be somewhat justified...but they're not. They're average at best. So to be clear, its not the $10, its the principle BEHIND the $10.

Our schools are going broke, and I believe the Board of Ed just voted to increase school budget taxes above the cap -- which is the largest increase in years. And it's because the schools needed it, and because there was going to be a loss of funds if the BOE didn't use this opportunity.

If you're going to hate on the schools, hate on the restaurants, hate on the permitting process (which is for everything.... trees, garage sales, fences, everything) then this place is just going to stress you out -- while you watch it continually hit you in the pocketbook. 

You may want to find somewhere else to live that you actually like.

I know someone who runs a garage sale annually in a NJ township far south of here.  That township requires a permit and fee also.  I assume most local townships do.  As noted above, it's mostly about maintaining quality of life and recouping some costs for the work that these sales might cause DPW or the police to incur.  

The diminimus $10 fee is charged by the township and has nothing to do with the school budget.  

Zuess - May I suggest you find a more noble principle to stand up for.  This one just makes you seem angry and uninformed.

Zeus2112 said:

"with the already obscene property taxes we pay"

Godwin's Law, MSO extension.  And on the opening post of the thread, no less.

tjohn said:

Zeus2112 said:

"with the already obscene property taxes we pay"

Godwin's Law, MSO extension.  And on the opening post of the thread, no less.

No kidding.

If I had a nickel for every time someone on MOL wrote that as part of a rant... Well, I'd have enough to pay my obscene property taxes.

ml1 said:

tjohn said:

Zeus2112 said:

"with the already obscene property taxes we pay"

Godwin's Law, MSO extension.  And on the opening post of the thread, no less.

No kidding.

If I had a nickel for every time someone on MOL wrote that as part of a rant... Well, I'd have enough to pay my obscene property taxes.

We would pay even more obscene taxes if all of the things that get complained about in this manner were folded into them.  (Or we just wouldn't receive those services.)