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Naugatuck hearing presents licensing approach for smoke shops; officials say ordinance regulates, does not ban
Summary
Officials presented proposed Ordinance 140 to license and regulate smoke and vape shops (Article 7, sections 12-1-20 to 12-1-34). Staff said the borough intends regulation and enforcement—not an outright prohibition—and highlighted strong penalty provisions and follow-up zoning work.
The Borough of Naugatuck held a public hearing on proposed Ordinance 140, a licensing framework to regulate smoke and vape shops rather than ban them outright. The Chair announced formal notice had been published and opened the record for public comment; the hearing was closed at 06:49PM.
A Staff member summarized the draft ordinance as a licensing regime covering application, enforcement and penalties. The Staff member said the borough is not proposing an outright ban and that the ordinance focuses on licensing and enforcement. “We have the strongest penalty provisions of any ordinance that has so far been adopted,” the Staff member said, arguing the draft balances strength with enforceability while remaining within the borough’s statutory authority.
The draft cites Article 7, sections 12-1-20 to 12-1-34 in Chapter 12 (licenses, permits and business regulation). Staff compared the proposal to efforts in other municipalities—naming New Haven and Camden—and said those jurisdictions’ penalty structures vary; New Haven’s was described as more lenient. Staff said the borough plans to finalize the ordinance first and then pursue zoning rules that will address location, separation and related land-use issues.
The public hearing record shows no final vote during the session. The borough plans to take up the ordinance at a future meeting for further action.
