Trustees discuss seasonal sidewalk‑retail permit and temporary fee waivers to boost Main Street activity

Trustees spent an extended portion of their April 28 meeting discussing sidewalk sales, street-peddler permits and a proposed seasonal sidewalk-retail permit to support local main‑street businesses.

Trustees described a seasonal retail permit concept similar to the village’s existing street‑peddler permit: a single seasonal permit (90-day period) or a 100‑hour seasonal allowance, with a one-time fee for the season and certificate-of-insurance required for any vendor who is not brick-and-mortar. Trustees discussed parameters—limits on tables/racks so sidewalks are not blocked—and suggested the permit be distinct from door-to-door peddlers rules.

Board members also discussed waiving the permit fee for two specific village days (the minutes record the July 12 and April 4 dates during discussion) to encourage vendor participation during those events; attendees expressed support for waiving the fee for those two days as a goodwill measure to help smaller retailers. At the time of the meeting the board directed staff to develop permit language and parameters; the transcript shows broad support but does not record a final ordinance or fee schedule adopted at that session.

Why it matters: The change would create a formal, seasonal pathway for retailers to station small displays or tables outside their storefronts while protecting pedestrian clearances and requiring insurance for non‑brick‑and‑mortar vendors.

What’s next: Staff was asked to draft permit language and clarify limits (number of tables/racks, days/hours covered) and to bring the proposal back to the board for formal adoption. Event organizers were told they may begin applying for permits if desired under existing rules while village staff finalise the seasonal permit framework.