Salisbury Commissioners Discuss Solicitation Ordinance

The Salisbury Board of Commissioners is looking to amend the township’s solicitation ordinance after it was brought to their attention that they cannot lawfully prohibit

Township Manager Randy Soriano told the commissioners at their workshop meeting July 28 that not allowing door-to-door solicitation violates the solicitors’ rights to commercial free speech.

“We need to do something to protect [our] residents,” Commissioner Norma Cusick said.

Soriano explained that although the township cannot forbid solicitation, there are other guidelines the township can impose.

He said that the township is able to determine times when solicitors are allowed to sell their products or services. In addition, the township can require these solicitors to register with the township and provide their names, contact information and any other pertinent information the commissioners feel is necessary.

Soriano explained that other municipalities have adopted a similar registration process and the information is listed on their websites.

Cusick said she would want to make it perfectly clear on the website that Salisbury Township does not endorse any commercial businesses.

Commissioner Joanne Ackerman said that she has experienced some “terrible instances” with door-to-door solicitation and she does not like it. She said that she does not know if she can trust the person who is coming to her home and trying to sell her a product or service.

Soriano said to keep door-to-door salespeople away, residents can put up no solicitation or no trespassing signs. If the signs are ignored, the resident can then call the police.

The commissioners have not taken action on this item yet since it was part of their workshop, but it will be on a future agenda of the Salisbury Board of Commissioners.