City to let kids sell water outside The Spa
Children will be required to use areas near track
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Children will be allowed to sell water bottles in certain areas outside Saratoga Race Course this summer.
The City Council voted unanimously to change the City Code for Peddling and Vending, allowing minors to sell bottled water during the racing season, which lasts six weeks from the third week of July to Labor Day.
Last year, city officials said due to the problems authorities have encountered, people would not be allowed to sell water bottles in 2018 on city property around Saratoga Race Course. Then Commissioner of Public Safety Chris Mathiesen announced the change, citing various problems authorities have encountered over the years.
Selling water bottles on city property has always been against city law, but years ago former Code Enforcer Dan Cogan allowed kids an opportunity to sell water bottles outside the track, instructing children to bring one cooler to the track and immediately leave once the cooler was empty.
However, authorities said they eventually had to deal with a number of issues, including: threats and water bottles being thrown between parents and children fighting for a spot to sell water; individuals selling T-shirts and soft drinks in addition to water bottles; blankets, tarps, coolers and umbrellas being left for an extended period of time in order to claim a specific area.
The change in the City Code for Peddling and Vending allows minors to occupy certain areas near the track.
• The east side of Franklin Sullivan Place for a distance of 550 feet south of its intersection with Lincoln Avenue;
• The north side of Lincoln Avenue for a distance of 250 feet west of its intersection with Frank Sullivan Place;
• The east side of Nelson Avenue between Wright Street and Gridley Street, with the exception of 50 feet from the intersection of Nelson Avenue and Wright Street where no vending will be allowed;
Additional rules include: a minor can only occupy up to nine square feet of an area; selling water will take place only between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.; and they need to remove all merchandise and equipment each day upon leaving.
The Commissioner of Public Safety has the authority to establish a fair and equitable procedure for the assignment of locations.
Only minors can sell water outside of the track. Children under the age of 14, however, must be accompanied by an adult.
The parent or guardian of each minor must register by filing an application with the Department of Accounts, which includes a signed statement.
An identification card will be assigned to all registered water bottle sellers, which must be worn at all times during vending activity.