Sep 16, 2002 By Patty Shultz 2 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Residents wanting to rid their attics and basements of unwanted items with a yard sale will now have to register with the city to display their wares. City council voted recently to implement an ordinance to restrict the annual number of garage and yard sales to three for each family and require that the city be informed of each sale.

Councilwoman Judy Keller said the action was necessary after she and the city clerk received complaints that families were conducting sales daily and sometimes weekly.

“We have residents that have put up tents and continue to have a sale every day,” said Keller. “I understand wanting to clean out your basement, but to have one every day is not necessary.”

Keller added that extended sales could be considered retail businesses, and those operating the business could be required to obtain a license.

According to the ordinance, each person conducting a yard or garage sale must obtain a permit from the city clerk and display it at the time of the sale. While no charge will be assessed for the first yearly sale, a $2 fee will be charged for the second and third sales.

Anyone found by police or the city zoning officer to be conducting a sale without a license can be fined up to $600 or jailed for a maximum of 30 days, if convicted.The ordinance will not go into effect until November.

Council also conducted the following business:

– Authorized Mayor Judy Reed to sign an agreement with the Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission and the city police department, pending the review of city solicitor Joseph Ferens. According to Police Chief Stephen Cooper, the department will oversee a tobacco compliance program within the city for the commission.

– Extended an agreement with the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board for rental of council chambers for one year.

– Hired James Dean as a building monitor for the police department.

– Appointed Nancy Dye to the shade tree commission. Council took no action on Councilman Bruce Jaynes’ recommended appointees: Bob Shandorf or Maryann Cook.

– Agreed to install stop signs temporarily at the intersection of East Gibson Avenue and Park Street during the reconstruction of East Crawford Avenue and a watch children sign on Park Street, near the Zachariah Connell Elementary School.

– Authorized Reed and Keller to review the retirement accounts of the police and fire departments.