This By-Law is intended to secure for residents of the Town the tranquillity
which they reasonably expect to enjoy in the privacy of their homes and to
protect them from unreasonable intrusion by unrequested and unwanted solicitation
and canvassing. It is framed with deep respect for the principles embodied
in the constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and attempts to achieve a workable balance between the right of free speech
and the right of privacy. It is intended to be framed narrowly and construed
strictly to achieve its purpose by imposing certain restrictions as to the
time, place and manner in which solicitation and canvassing are conducted.
It is not intended to be applied to political or religious activities entitled
to protection under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Each certificate of registration shall contain the signature of Chief
of Police or his designee and shall show the name, address and photograph
of the holder of said certificate, date of issue and registration number.
Each certificate of registration issued pursuant to this By-Law shall
expire 90 days from date of issue.
No certificate of registration may be transferred to any other person
or entity.
The Chief of Police may revoke the certificate of registration of any
solicitor or canvasser for violation of any provision of this By-Law or for
providing false information on the application.
The Police Department shall keep a record of all certificate of registration,
including registration numbers, and application thereof for a period of six years after application. Enforcement authority
of this By-Law shall be by criminal complaint filed by the Police Department.
The provisions of this By-Law shall not apply to the following persons:
A. Any person duly licensed under Chapter 101 of the General
Laws or any persons exempted under Chapter 101, Chapter 149, Section 69, Chapter
180, Section 4, or any other General Law.
B. Any officer or employee of the Town, county, state or
federal government on official business; or
C. Route salespersons or others having established customers
making periodic deliveries to such customers or making calls upon prospective
customers to solicit orders for periodic route deliveries, including but not
limited to news carriers.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this
By-Law shall be declared invalid or held unconstitutional by any court of
last resort, the remainder shall continue in full force and effect.
Whoever violates any provisions of this By-Law shall be liable to a
penalty of not less than $100 for each offense.