No person who makes a business of purchasing, or purchasing
and selling, or who keeps a place of business in the Town of Littleton
for purchasing, or purchasing and selling, either gold or silver,
coins, stamps, other precious metals, jewelry, and electronics shall
engage in such business or open such place of business for the said
purposes unless duly licensed by the Select Board. This by-law shall
not pertain to businesses within Littleton that take items in on consignment
or that are licensed as Antique Dealers.
Each application for a license shall set forth the name of the
party to be licensed, the nature of the business and the building
or place in which it is to be carried on. Any license granted under
this Article shall continue in force until the first day of January
next ensuing unless sooner revoked by the Select Board. Each license
shall specify the kind and character of the business to be carried
on and the fee for such license shall be determined by the Select
Board.
No dealer or keeper of a shop shall directly or indirectly receive
or buy any such items from any person under the age of 18 years.
Each such dealer or keeper of a shop shall have conspicuously
displayed his license at the place where he/she does business.
Any violation of any provision of the license or any rule or
regulation that may be adopted by the Select Board in accordance with
this Article shall be sufficient cause and reason to revoke said license.
Prior to any suspension or revocation, the Select Board shall hold
a public hearing, giving written notice to the licensee. Such notice
shall be mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, or shall
be delivered in hand by a constable authorized to provide such service.
Violations of any provision of this Article may be addressed
by way of criminal complaint or through the procedure for noncriminal
disposition provided in section 21D of Chapter 40 of the General Laws.
In the event of such noncriminal disposition, a noncriminal penalty
shall be assessed a penalty of $300.
Each offense will require a meeting with the Select Board to
discuss corrective measures to be taken.
The Chief of Police, or his designees, and any authorized representative
of the Littleton Select Board, or its designees, shall at all times
have the authority to inspect or examine all books kept by the keeper
or dealer of a shop as well as to inspect and examine all articles
and merchandise therein.
No dealer or keeper of a shop shall purchase or conduct business
except between the hours of 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.