Council moves to repeal local solicitation and peace-and-good-order code sections, leans on state trespass statutes

The Town Council approved first readings to repeal local ordinances regulating solicitation and portions of a "peace and good order" chapter, and directed staff and the police to rely on state trespass laws and other state statutes for enforcement.

Town Attorney and Police Chief Schneider explained that state statutes provide enforcement tools for issues such as doorstep solicitation, trespass and aggressive panhandling, and that duplicative town ordinances were unnecessary. The repeal would preserve residents' ability to post no-soliciting or no-trespassing signs and give police a clear state-law basis for enforcement.

Chief Schneider said state trespass statutes are preferable because they provide a consistent enforcement mechanism and, when a "no trespassing" sign is posted, the sign serves as a prior warning to support law enforcement action. The attorney recommended relying on state statutes rather than maintaining a town-level duplicate ordinance.

Council approved first readings of the measures and asked staff to prepare final ordinance language for second reading. The motions passed unanimously on first reading.

Why it matters: Repealing redundant municipal provisions shifts enforcement to state statutes, simplifies the town code and clarifies enforcement for officers and residents. The council retained the option to rely on posted signs and trespass law to address unwelcome solicitation at private residences.

Next steps: Staff will return with the final ordinance language for second reading and coordinate with police on public guidance about signs and enforcement expectations.