Council tightens handbill/solicitor rules and approves fire alarm contract on consent agenda

The Bedford City Council approved its consent agenda unanimously on May 27, adopting an amended ordinance that tightens rules on handbill distribution and canvassing and authorizing a one-year contract (with renewal options) for fire alarm monitoring and services.

City Manager Andrea Roy summarized the consent items, saying staff had "scrubbed" prior amendments to remove ambiguity and better define terms including canvasser, handbill distributor and commercial periodicals. The revised Chapter 90 language requires solicitors and handbill distributors to obtain permits and wear identifying vests, addresses aggressive solicitor behavior and distinguishes subscription newspapers from non-subscription handbills.

City Attorney staff explained the change is intended to avoid constitutional/equal-protection claims by drawing a clear distinction between solicited periodicals (for example, subscription newspapers) and unrequested handbills placed at doors or tossed from vehicles.

Councilmembers also discussed a consent contract for fire alarm monitoring and maintenance. The council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to enter a one-year agreement with four one-year renewal options with Firetron Inc. for an initial annual amount of $59,285.50 (totaling $296,427.50 if all extensions are exercised). Facilities staff clarified typical building monitoring practices and that the police department building is the only city building not monitored.

The motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Councilmember Farco, seconded by Councilmember Dawkins, and passed unanimously.