Ordinance 2551 will amend an existing law on the books and specifically give the authority to suspend or revoke the licenses of door-to-door sales representatives, solicitors, peddlers, canvassers, and artists to the chief of police. This bill will come before the governing body on October 4th.
Borough Attorney Richard Huxford explained, “Council indicated they wanted to have consistency for all licenses so it was determined that the chief of police would be the appropriate person.”
The law in its current form does not include the provision that would suspend or revoke a license of a solicitor or door-to-door sales reps. This caused an issue earlier in the summer when residents were calling to complain of door-to-door reps who either did not have the required credentials or violated the hours allowed for such solicitation. It was then discovered that there was not explicit authority to suspend or revoke such a license.
During the discussion of the ordinance, the wording “or his Borough qualified designee” was added to the chief of police as an auithorized party who could revioke or suspend a solicitor’s license. The ordinance was amended to have any situation where such action immediately needed to be taken if the police chief – for whatever reason – was not available.
The public hearing and vote for Ordinance 2551 are part of the 7 p.m. October 4th Mayor & Council meeting at 110 East Westfield Avenue.
A copy of RP Ordinance 2551 is available below:
Download RP Ordinance 2551