Solicitation Ordinance Moves Closer to Vote in Salisbury Township

Salisbury Township commissioners expect to vote on if details can be worked out before the next board meeting on Sept. 22.

During a recent workshop meeting, Police Chief Allen W. Stiles submitted concerns about the impact of the ordinance on his department, including the logistics of doing background checks, fingerprinting, and making photo identification badges for individuals or businesses soliciting in the township.

Preparing photo ID badges would probably require buying new equipment, Stiles noted. Fees for solicitation permits will be determined by what the police department needs to recoup its costs.

Township Manager Randy Soriano said Stile’s recommendations will be reviewed by the township solicitor.

The purpose of the new ordinance is to regulate solicitation, not ban it, said Soriano. “Bans on commercial free speech has been challenged in court,” he said. “The ordinance must be finely drawn to not run afoul of the First Amendment.”

The primary intent of the ordinance, he added, is to protect citizens from crime, and to protect business owners from annoyance.

In April, the it said was violating township ordinances by putting up company signs on properties before work was begun. The citations were dropped after the company’s lawyer argued there was a difference between a company and its owner, but the incident led to the township’s efforts to improve its regulations.

Also under consideration: the days and hours when solicitation will be allowed in the township, permit fees, violation penalties, whether card holders will be required to register at the police department before they solicit in the township, and how to communicate that a permit is not the equivalent of endorsement by the township.

Officials also noted that there would be exemptions for people soliciting for non-profit organizations or charitable purposes.

Signs posted by homeowners or businesses stating “no solicitation” will be enforced.

“We want to get out the word to township residents who might like to voice comments, instead of waiting until the ordinance is up for adoption as a township ordinance,” Soriano said.