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Resident urges tougher rules and enforcement for door-to-door solicitors in Gardner
Summary
A first-time speaker asked the council to reinstate permits, require badges and stronger enforcement for solicitors; city staff said many of her suggestions could be explored and staff will report back.
Ashley Montgomery, a Gardner resident, told the council she and neighbors are frustrated by solicitors who ignore posted “no soliciting” signs, visit outside permitted hours and sometimes use deceptive practices. She asked the city to consider reinstating a permit system and city-issued badges, improving reporting and enforcement, imposing escalating penalties for repeat violators, and distributing standardized no-soliciting signs to residents.
Montgomery said she was speaking on behalf of “many residents” and listed concrete suggestions: require a city permit that includes accountability, require visible, city-issued identification, provide an easy method to report violations, impose escalating penalties for repeat violators and distribute consistent no-soliciting signs to residents. She also suggested revisiting permitted solicitation hours and limiting how often a solicitor may return to the same address.
City staff responded that the city previously had a permit program, and staff noted concerns that background checks tied to permits can give residents a false sense of security because the city’s prior checks were limited. The staff member said the administration can explore Montgomery’s suggestions and bring options back to the council. The staff member said, “We could do everything she brought up with permitting and having city permit so that people could see a visual permit that they're supposed to be there.”
Council members thanked Montgomery and said better communication about how to report violations (non-emergency numbers, where to submit complaints) would help enforcement. One council member said reporting is essential — whether or not a permit system is adopted — and asked staff to return with data on recent enforcement calls for solicitors and with options for permits, badges, reporting methods and penalties.
No ordinance or fee change was adopted at the meeting; staff were asked to review the suggestions and return with options.
