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Berlin hears drafts to tighten business‑license and peddler rules; exemptions for agricultural vendors remain
Summary
The town attorney presented two draft code changes: one to let the town refuse or revoke business licenses for nuisances (noise, traffic, loitering) and a separate rewritten peddlers/solicitors ordinance that includes background checks, hours limits and statutory exemptions for certain producers; council scheduled further review and a first reading on July 28.
Town Attorney David Gasco introduced draft language to amend the town's business‑license code and a separate draft to replace the peddlers/solicitors ordinance.
Gasco said the business‑license draft would allow the town to refuse or revoke a license for enumerated conduct including "excessive noise, excessive traffic, excessive loitering outside the establishment or after business hours, trash accumulation, disorderly conduct," and similar public‑nuisance factors. He described the change as a tool the town hopes it will never need but wants available.
On peddlers and solicitors, the draft replaces the existing language and creates clearer application requirements, a criminal background check performed by the police department, a time window for permitted peddling (proposed 9 a.m.–5 p.m. or discussion of 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Friday), and statutory exemptions for producers of certain goods (for example, bread, milk, produce) consistent with state protections noted in the meeting. Council discussed fee structures, whether farmers‑market vendors should be exempt or covered by the existing market vetting, and enforcement logistics for door‑to‑door solicitations.
Council members and staff asked for clarifying edits and said the item will move to a first reading (candidate date given as July 28) with a public hearing scheduled for August 11. No ordinance was adopted at the July 14 meeting.
