The changes apply to the permit requirements for the outdoor display of merchandise. Outdoor displays will now be allowed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. only; merchants will be required to provide a survey of their property to ascertain that the display would be on private and not public property; and displays must conform to standards which have yet to be determined.

During a public hearing prior to the adoption of the changes, the board heard from three merchants.

Jim Florczak, owner of the Where It All Began Bat Company, said the hours were too restrictive.

``I strongly oppose that. Numerous examples could be given why it should be 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.,’’ he said.

Florczak also spoke against the fine structure which he said didn’t take into consideration that some businesses may unintentionally violate the law.

Another merchant, Jeff Foster, also spoke against the hours. During the summer season, he explained, people are often shopping late into the evening hours. The law should reflect that, he said, by allowing outdoor displays later in the day.

The requirement that businesses must provide a property survey to demonstrate the display would be on private property was asking too much, Foster said, adding that he rented his storefront and did not have a survey.

Foster told the board that he has been doing business in the village for 12 years and it seems there is an adversarial relationship between the trustees and baseball merchants.

``I feel like it’s us versus them,’’ he said. ``It doesn’t feel like a community.’’

Baseball merchant Adam Yastrzemski echoed the opinion of Foster and Florczak when he said, ``Six p.m. is a little early to bring everything in.’’

Trustee Stu Taugher asked the three if extending the hours to 9 p.m. would be more reasonable, but Florczak said he doesn’t agree with 9 p.m.

``Eleven would give everyone plenty of time to get their items secured,’’ he said. ``Trying to work together is an important issue. What merchants need is your help on our side. I think it’s the board’s duty to look on our side. That would be very helpful.’’

But trustee Jeff Katz reminded the three merchants that the amendment to the law had originally sought to ban all outdoor displays of merchandise.

``Working on the hours was a response to your needs,’’ he said. ``I think it was an attempt at balance.’’

Katz also explained that the criteria which will govern the outdoor displays will be discussed during the next planning committee meeting in March.

``There will be some criteria that are not onerous,’’ he said.

The board adopted the change to the vending law at the close of its meeting with Taugher casting the only dissenting vote.