TOBAY Notebook: Free Sign Available to Ward Off Peddlers

They can be annoying: those door-to-door people with a knack for knocking at precisely the wrong moment. 

The offers a free "No Soliciting" sticker for doors and windows to help ward off solicitors and peddlers.

Town Clerk Steve Labriola's office has a free, waterproof vinyl sticker for residents. To get one, contact his office at 624-6333 or e-mail him through the Town’s Web site,  www.oysterbaytown.com.

Labriola said door-to-door peddling and soliciting has become “big business” all across Long Island, drawing new groups, organizations and companies from all over the country into our communities.

“While I do not want to inhibit anyone from making an honest living, I do want to protect our residents as much as possible," Labriola said. "I believe if people are aware of the licensing procedure and follow certain guidelines, it will help them avoid the pitfalls of being taken in by a fast-talking peddler or solicitor. "

If a peddler doesn't display a current town-issued photo identification badge, Labriola said residents shouldn't conduct business with him. Send the person away and call the police immediately with a description, he said.  

Not-for-profit organizations are not required to have permits but are requested to inform the Town Clerk’s Office about when and where their members are going to be soliciting.

“The bottom line for dealing with anyone coming to the door to sell or solicit is better safe than sorry,” Labriola said. “And remember, if the deal sounds too good to be true, chances are it is.”  

Town's Blood Drive a Success 

  Oyster Bay Town Councilman Joe Muscarella announced that the Town collected 127 pints of blood at its March 3 drive.

“We have always been able to count on town employees and residents to roll up their sleeves for our blood drives, but this drive came at a very good time because the bad winter weather forced the cancellations of several blood and platelet donations,” Muscarella said. “Town employees and residents answered the urgent call to donate."

Anyone who missed the town’s blood drive and would like to donate can call the New York Blood Center at 1-800-933-2566, or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.    The town’s summer blood drive is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 4.

Paying tax bills online

Town residents can access their property tax bills and make payments online through the town's web site.

“Through the system, a taxpayer may register on-line for free,no-cost access to their general/school real property tax statements,” said Receiver of Taxes James J. Stefanich. “Taxpayers may log in anytime to view, print, or check the payment status of their real property tax bills to ensure that the town has received a payment.

Taxpayers can pay their tax bills via credit card or electronic check. The system keeps a running history of tax payments beginning with the first electronic payment. To pay online, go to the town’s web site, www.oysterbaytown.com.