Gardner council adopts updated soliciting ordinance; sets Nov. 1 effective date for permit section

The Gardner City Council approved Ordinance 2850 on a unanimous vote, amending Chapter 5.05.0.01 of the Gardner Municipal Code to add a required permit process for soliciting, hawkers, peddling and canvassing and to place fee-setting authority with the city administrator. The council set Nov. 1 as the effective date for the ordinance’s new permit section and discussed implementation details including photo ID badges and a vinyl “no soliciting” sticker program.

The measure changes the city’s existing soliciting rules by reintroducing a formal permit with an identification credential and giving the city administrator authority to set and publish permit fees. A staff presenter told the council the draft keeps soliciting hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and offers two badge options: a lower-cost business-card style permit or a printed photo badge that includes a picture and is more difficult to counterfeit.

Why the ordinance matters: the change affects door-to-door solicitors and residents who want a clear, enforceable way to identify permitted solicitors and to signal “no soliciting” at their homes. The council discussed fees, badge durability,…