Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Local Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Westerly adopts revised door‑to‑door solicitation ordinance with annual no‑solicit list
Summary
The council adopted an amended door‑to‑door solicitation ordinance that adds a $50 permit, requires vendor ID badges, and creates an annually renewed no‑solicit registration (expires Dec. 1); the change follows legal advice about First Amendment risks under the prior rule.
The Westerly Town Council on Feb. 2 adopted an amendment to the town’s door‑to‑door solicitation rules aimed at aligning the ordinance with First Amendment guidance from the solicitor’s office and at creating a clear, administrable process for residents who do not want solicitors.
Town staff explained the prior ordinance had been found to raise constitutional concerns in a solicitor review; the proposed version removes a perpetual prohibition and replaces it with a permit system for vendors and an annual no‑solicit registry. Under the adopted ordinance vendors must apply for a $50 permit and will be issued an ID card to carry while soliciting; failure to display the ID may result in a fine. Residents may either post a no‑solicit sign on their door or sign up for the town’s non‑solicitation list; that list will expire Dec. 1 each year and must be renewed to remain active for the following year. Staff said they will design administrative processes to transmit monthly updates to licensed vendors so lists remain current.
Council discussion focused on two practical points: whether the expiration should be annual (some councilors asked to auto‑refresh via voter registration rolls to avoid annual calls) and what hours vendors may operate. Councilor Litra objected to making the no‑solicit list automatically expire each Dec. 1, saying she did not want to re‑register every year; the manager and staff said they would explore administrative alternatives. Councilors also noted the change will open door‑to‑door access to a wider class of vendors but said the permit and ID requirements were intended to protect residents and permit enforcement.
The council closed the public hearing and the ordinance passed on a recorded vote of 6–1.
What happens next: the town will publish the administrative form and process for no‑solicit registration and issue vendor licenses under the terms of the ordinance; staff said they will provide clarifying guidance about hours and enforcement processes.
