[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Lawrence 4-8-1981 by L.L. No. 2-1981. Sections 158-8,
158-15, 158-16, 158-17, 158-18, 158-19B, 158-27, 158-33, 158-34A,
158-35, 158-36B and 158-37A amended at time of adoption of Code; see
Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I. Other amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any person who in any way, as principal, broker or agent:
Deals in the commercial purchase or sale of
secondhand articles for any purpose and of whatever nature, including
but not limited to old gold or other precious metals, coins, stamps
or currency, firearms, rifles, shotguns, cameras, business machines,
musical instruments, outboard motors or electronic equipment.
Accepts or receives secondhand articles as returns
of merchandise or in exchange for or for credits on any other articles
or merchandise.
Deals in the commercial purchase or sale of
pawnbroker tickets or other evidence of pledged articles.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed
to apply to:
A.
Automobiles, pianos, books, magazines, rugs, tapestries,
artists' burlaps, paintings, sculptures, drawings, etchings and engravings.
B.
The first purchase or sale in the country of any imported
secondhand article.
C.
The acceptance or receipt of merchandise in a new
condition as a return, exchange or for credit or refund, if such merchandise
was originally purchased as new merchandise from the person accepting
or receiving the same nor to any resale of such merchandise as new
merchandise or the first subsequent nonretail or exchange of such
merchandise as used merchandise.
D.
The acceptance or receipt of merchandise in a used
condition as a return, trade-in, exchange or for credit or refund,
if such merchandise was originally purchased as new merchandise from
the person accepting or receiving the same, nor to the first subsequent
nonretail sale or exchange of such merchandise.
E.
The first sale, at retail, of merchandise which has
been rebuilt by the manufacturer or vendor originally manufacturing
it, or the licensed agents thereof, and sold as factory-rebuilt merchandise.
F.
A thrift shop, as defined to be so classified under
the United States Internal Revenue Code, entitled to an exemption
as an eleemosynary corporation or institution.
G.
Antiques, which shall mean secondhand articles over
50 years of age, having a value of less than $250 and void of any
means of identification. "Identification" shall mean articles which
are serialized, monogrammed, initialed or distinctly marked.
The burden of proof that an article was originally
purchased from the person accepting or receiving it, that it was the
first subsequent sale or exchange thereof to a person other than an
ultimate consumer or that it was a first sale at retail of such factory-rebuilt
merchandise shall be upon the person asserting the same. Evidence
of an existing trade practice in the Village of Lawrence, if any,
shall be admissible for the purpose of determining whether or not
merchandise is in new or used condition.
In interpreting and applying the provisions
of this chapter, the rule of interpretation applicable to remedial
legislation shall be used so that the spirit and intent of this chapter
shall be observed. All provisions shall be:
This chapter shall not create any liability
on the part of the Village of Lawrence or its officers, agents or
employees or the Nassau County Police Department or its officers,
agents or employees for any act or damage caused as a result of reliance
on this chapter or any administrative decision lawfully made thereunder.
It shall be unlawful for any person to act as
a dealer in secondhand articles without a license therefor.
B.
A general license shall authorize the licensee to act as a secondhand dealer, with respect to all articles other than secondhand automobiles, within the Village of Lawrence during the license period specified in § 158-10 of this chapter.
C.
A management license shall authorize the licensee,
who is not a dealer in antiques or unique secondhand articles, to
operate and manage an antique or unique secondhand articles exposition,
where such antiques or unique secondhand articles are sold at any
fair, show or exhibit or any place where this merchandise is offered
for sale within the Village of Lawrence, during a period of one month
from the date of issuance of such license.
D.
An exposition license shall authorize a dealer in
antiques or unique secondhand articles who maintains no place of business
within the Village of Lawrence to exhibit and sell such articles at
any fair, show or exposition within the Village of Lawrence during
a period of one month from the date of issuance of such license.
A.
Each dealer securing a general license shall furnish
a bond to the Village of Lawrence, with sufficient surety to be approved
by the Village Administrator, in the penal sum of $2,000, conditioned
for the due observance of the law relating to such dealers.
B.
Each manager of an antique or unique articles exposition
shall furnish a bond to the Village of Lawrence, with sufficient surety
to be approved by the Village Administrator, in the penal sum of $2,000,
conditioned for the due observance of the law relating to dealers
who are exhibitors at the exposition.
The annual license fee for licenses shall be
as follow:
All general licenses shall expire on the first
day of April next succeeding the date of issuance thereof, unless
sooner revoked or suspended. A new application for a license must
be made yearly if the licensee desires to continue such activity.
All licenses shall be placed and at all times
displayed in a conspicuous place at the licensee's place of activity
of business for which it is issued.
All licenses are personal with the licensees.
They do not go with title to the land nor may they be sold, assigned,
transferred or disposed of.
Any license may be revoked or suspended by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lawrence after a hearing thereon pursuant to the provisions of § 158-36 herein, at which time the licensee shall have an opportunity to be heard.
The granting, refusal, revocation or suspension
of any license by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lawrence
shall be subject to review by certiorari after the applicant or licensee
has exhausted all administrative remedies.
Applicants for a license under this chapter
must file with the Village Administrator of the Village of Lawrence
an application, supplied by the Village Administrator, containing
the following information:
A.
The name and description of the applicant. Individuals
operating under a trade name must present a certified copy of the
trade name certificate filed in the Nassau County Clerk's office.
A partnership conducting business, whether or not under a trade name,
must submit a certified copy of the partnership certificate filed
in the Nassau County Clerk's office when the partnership was formed.
A corporation must furnish a photostatic copy of the filing receipt
for the certificate of incorporation from the New York State Secretary
of State. A corporation from outside New York State must furnish a
photostatic copy of its application for authority to do business in
New York State from the New York State Secretary of State.
B.
The address of the applicant (local and legal).
C.
That the applicant is of legal age.
D.
That the applicant is a citizen of the United States
and whether citizenship was obtained by birth or naturalization; if
by naturalization, the date and place where obtained. The naturalization
certificate or permanent Board of Elections personal registration
card may be used as proof of citizenship.
E.
A statement as to whether or not the applicant has
ever been convicted of or is now under charge of any crime, misdemeanor
or violation of any municipal ordinance or local law, the nature of
the offense and the punishment or penalty assessed therefor and such
other facts or evidence as is deemed necessary to establish that the
applicant is a person fit and capable of properly conducting the activity
or business for which the license is sought.
F.
A description of the exact type of business which
the applicant intends to conduct.
G.
The name and address of the owner or owners of the
land and the nature of the right of occupancy of the applicant to
the use of such land.
H.
Two photographs of the applicant, taken not more than
60 days prior to the filing of the application, which photographs
shall be 2 inches by 2 inches, showing the head and shoulders of the
applicant in a clear and distinguishing manner. Two photographs and
fingerprints are required of each individual applicant; two photographs
and fingerprints are required of each partner; no photographs are
required of corporate applicants, but all officers must be fingerprinted,
as well as any stockholder of 10% or more of the stock.
I.
If the applicant is a corporation, the name, address
and title of an officer of the corporation upon whom process or other
legal notice may be served.
A copy of the applicant's fingerprints shall
be mailed to the Division of Criminal Justice Services, Albany, New
York, requesting a fingerprint search. The Village Administrator shall
secure from the applicant the required fee in the form of a check
or money order made payable to the "New York State Division of Criminal
Justice Services."
A.
Upon receipt of the license application and upon the
approval by the Village Administrator and the payment of the prescribed
fees by and bonds required of the applicant, the Village Administrator
shall prepare and deliver to the applicant his license.
B.
Every license issued hereunder shall be signed at
the direction and in the name of the Village Administrator and sealed
with the Seal of the Village of Lawrence.
The Village Administrator shall keep a record
of all licenses issued, as well as any other matters herein described.
No license shall be granted under this chapter
to any dealer in secondhand articles:
A.
Who has been convicted of any offense which, under
the laws of the State of New York, constitutes a crime involving moral
turpitude.
B.
Who has been found by any court of the state to have
practiced any fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in the conduct of
the secondhand dealer business, unless the Village Administrator,
after approval by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Lawrence,
shall decide in any particular case, upon the facts there presented,
that it is proper to issue the license applied for.[1]
C.
Whose license under this chapter has been revoked
at any time during the year prior to the time of the application for
the license.
D.
Whose license has been suspended under this chapter
and the period of such suspension has not expired at the time of this
application for the license.
Every dealer in secondhand articles shall furnish
to the Police Commissioner of Nassau County or his agent, at such
times, in such manner and at such intervals as shall be specified
by the Police Commissioner, all information requested by the Police
Commissioner relative to all records required to be kept under this
chapter. Such information shall be supplied on forms to be designated
and supplied by the Police Commissioner. Duly licensed dealers in
antiques shall furnish daily reports of purchases of secondhand articles
within 72 hours.
It shall be unlawful for any dealer in secondhand
articles to engage in selling articles at any place other than the
place of business designated in such license.
It shall be unlawful for any dealer in secondhand
articles to purchase any secondhand goods or things from any person
whom he knows to be or has reason to believe is a minor.
With the exception of duly licensed dealers
in antiques, it shall be unlawful for any dealer in secondhand articles
to purchase any secondhand goods or articles from any person between
the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
It shall be unlawful for any dealer in secondhand articles to sell or dispose of any secondhand articles, except articles purchased from another secondhand dealer duly licensed by the Village of Lawrence, until the expiration of 15 business days after the acquisition by such dealer of such articles. Duly licensed dealers in antiques may sell or dispose of secondhand articles for a period of time less than the expiration of the said 15 days mentioned above, provided that the required record of purchases and sales are met pursuant to § 158-30.
It shall be unlawful for any dealer in secondhand
articles to be licensed as a pawnbroker or to engage in the business
of a pawnbroker, nor shall any sign or emblem be displayed by any
such dealer in or about the premises where such business is conducted,
which in any way resembles the sign or emblem commonly used by pawnbrokers
or which is intended to give the appearance that the business conducted
on such premises is or is connected with the business of a pawnbroker.
It shall be unlawful for any person licensed
as a secondhand dealer to deal in the purchase or sale of any junk,
old rope, old iron, brass, copper, tin, lead, rubber, paper, rags,
bagging, slush or empty bottles or employ or use a boat, cart or other
vehicle for the purpose of collecting any such things or materials,
unless he is also licensed by the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau,
State of New York, pursuant to Chapter 111 of the Code of the Town
of Hempstead entitled "Junk Dealers."
It shall be unlawful for any person licensed
as a secondhand dealer to deal in the purchase or sale of secondhand
motor vehicles or parts therefrom, the processing of used metals for
resale and the dumping, storage, burning and disposal of waste, secondhand
or used materials of whatever composition, unless he is also licensed
as a junkyard therefor by the Town of Hempstead, County of Nassau,
State of New York.
Every person licensed as a dealer in secondhand
articles who also sells new articles within the licensed premises
shall label all new articles in such manner that the public will be
informed of the nature of such articles.
A.
If any articles shall be advertised in any newspaper
printed in the County of Nassau as having been lost or stolen and
if any goods or articles answering such advertised description or
any part thereof shall be in or come into the possession of any dealer
in secondhand articles, upon receiving actual written or oral notice
of the similarity of description of such article, such dealer shall
immediately give information relating thereto to the Police Commissioner
of Nassau County or his agent. No disposition of such articles shall
be effected until authorization to do so shall be given to such dealer
by the Police Commissioner or his authorized agent. A dealer in secondhand
articles, when notified by the Commissioner of Police or his agent
that property in his possession is stolen or alleged to be stolen,
shall take immediate steps to secure that property, and it shall be
marked "police stop." Thereafter, such property shall not be sold
or removed from the premises until notification is made to the dealer,
in writing, by the Police Commissioner of Nassau County or his agent
allowing such removal or sale.
B.
Every dealer in secondhand articles who shall have
or receive any articles alleged or supposed to have been lost or stolen
shall exhibit the same, on demand, to the Commissioner of Police of
Nassau County or any authorized inspector of licenses, to any police
officer or to any person duly authorized, in writing, by the Commissioner
of Police to examine such articles, who shall exhibit such written
authority to the dealer. Every dealer in secondhand articles shall
make available all business premises and any and all rooms or portions
of rooms thereof of the secondhand dealership, at all times during
normal business hours, and all articles therein pertaining to said
business for inspection by the Commissioner of Police of Nassau County
or any inspector of licenses or any person duly authorized, in writing,
for such purposes by the Commissioner of Police of Nassau County,
who shall exhibit such written authority to the dealer.
A.
Every dealer in secondhand articles shall keep a bound
book, in a form prescribed by the Commissioner of Police of Nassau
County, of consecutively numbered transactions, in which shall be
legibly written, in English, at the time of every purchase or sale
to or from a person other than a dealer in secondhand articles, a
description of every secondhand article so purchased or sold, the
number or numbers and any monograms, inscriptions or other marks of
identification that may appear on such article, a description of the
articles or pieces comprising old gold, silver, platinum, other metals
or coins, stamps or currency, any monogram, inscription or marks of
identification thereon, the name and residence address of the person
from whom such purchase was made and the day and hour of the purchase.
B.
Every dealer in secondhand articles who receives secondhand
articles on consignment shall keep a record, in the above-prescribed
book, describing the articles and the name and description of the
person or dealer such items are received from.
C.
As between dealers, all transactions shall be recorded
in the above-prescribed book and legible records kept describing the
articles, including a detailed description of all jewelry and costume
jewelry.
D.
Such books shall be kept on the business premises
of the secondhand dealership, or at the place designated on the duly
approved license, at all times during normal business hours. Such
books shall be open to the inspection of any police officer, to the
Commissioner of Police of Nassau County or any inspector of licenses
or any person duly authorized, in writing, for such purposes by the
Commissioner of Police, who shall exhibit such written authority to
the dealer.
E.
Duly licensed dealers in antique articles shall keep
a record of bulk purchases in the bound book, noting the invoice number
on each bulk purchase. All identifiable secondhand articles which
are part of the bulk purchase shall be entered individually in the
ledger book and reported individually to the Nassau County Police
Commissioner within 72 hours after such bulk purchase.
A.
It shall be the duty of every secondhand dealer to
verify the identity of every person from whom he purchases an article
and to make and keep a written record of the nature of the evidence
submitted by such person to prove his identity.
B.
Only the following shall be deemed acceptable evidence
of identity:
(1)
Any official document, except a social security account
number card, issued by the United States government, any state, county,
municipality or subdivision thereof, any public agency or department
thereof or any public or private employer, which requires and bears
the signature of the person to whom issued.
C.
It shall be the duty of every dealer in secondhand
articles to require that every person from whom an article is purchased
sign his name in the presence of the secondhand dealer and to compare
the signature with the signature on the identifying document, if any,
and retain on his premises the person's signature, together with the
number and description of the identifying document, if any.
It shall be the duty of any police officer of
the County of Nassau to require any person seen dealing in secondhand
articles, and who is not known by such police officer to be duly licensed,
to produce or display his secondhand dealer's license and to enforce
the provisions of this chapter against any person found to be violating
the same.
The Village Administrator of the Village of
Lawrence shall record all convictions for violations of this chapter
which are officially brought to his attention by any authorized agency
or person.
A.
[1]A license issued under the provisions of this chapter may
be revoked or suspended by the Village Administrator, after notice,
for any of the following causes:
(1)
Fraud, misrepresentation or false statement contained
in the application for the license.
(2)
Any violation of this chapter.
(3)
Conviction of any crime or offense involving moral
turpitude.
(4)
Conducting the activity as a dealer in secondhand
articles in an unlawful manner or in such a manner as to constitute
a breach of the peace or to constitute a menace to the health, safety
or general welfare of the public.
A.
The holder of any license which has been suspended
or revoked and any applicant who shall have been denied a license
under this chapter may apply for a review of the action of the Village
Administrator as hereinafter provided:
(1)
Such application shall be in writing, signed and acknowledged
by the applicant, and shall state the ground or grounds on which the
applicant claims that the determination of the Village Administrator
was erroneous.
(2)
Such application shall be filed with the Village Administrator
by the applicant within 20 days after notice of denial of his application
or notice of suspension or revocation of his permit by the Village
Administrator has been mailed to him or delivered to him in person.
(3)
Upon the filing of such application, a hearing shall be held thereon pursuant to the provisions of § 158-36.
(4)
At such hearing, the review board shall consider the
applicant's application upon the record before the Village Administrator,
in connection with the Village Administrator's consideration thereof,
and, in its discretion, receive new or additional evidence in support
thereof or in opposition thereto.
B.
The review board, after such hearing, may affirm the
action of the Village Administrator or direct the Village Administrator
to issue a proper license pursuant to this chapter.
Whenever it shall be provided herein that a
hearing shall or may be held with respect to any matter:
A.
Such hearing shall be held on a date and at a place
and hour designated by the Mayor of the Village of Lawrence.
B.
The Village Administrator shall give notice thereof,
stating the name and address of the applicant or license holder concerned,
the subject matter of the hearing and the date, place and hour thereof
designated therefor, by mailing a copy thereof to the applicant or
license holder concerned at the address shown on the most recent application
of such applicant or licensee, at least 10 days before such hearing.
[Amended 4-13-1988 by L.L. No. 5-1988]
C.
If an applicant or licensee requests a hearing, the
Mayor shall designate two or more members of the Board of Trustees
of the Village of Lawrence to conduct said hearing as a review board.
D.
The applicant or license holder involved shall be
entitled to be represented by legal counsel and to present such competent
and material testimony or other evidence in his own behalf as may
be relevant to the subject matter of the hearing.
E.
All witnesses shall be sworn and examined under oath.
A.
Any person committing an offense against any provision
of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a violation
pursuant to the Penal Law of the State of New York, punishable by
a fine up to a maximum of $1,000 or by imprisonment for a term not
exceeding 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The continuation
of an offense against the provisions of this chapter shall constitute,
for each day the offense is continued, a separate and distinct offense
hereunder.
[Amended 4-13-1988 by L.L. No. 5-1988; 9-11-2002 by L.L. No. 5-2002]
B.
Conviction for any offense against the provisions
of this chapter shall constitute and effect an immediate forfeiture
of the license.
C.
In addition to the above-provided penalties and punishment,
the Village of Lawrence also may maintain an action or proceeding,
in the name of the Village of Lawrence, in a court of competent jurisdiction
to compel compliance with the provisions of this chapter or to restrain
by injunction an offense against this chapter.
