This chapter shall be known as the "Transient Merchant and Peddler Licensing
Ordinance of the Township of Readington."
This chapter is adopted to regulate the distribution of certain materials,
peddling, soliciting and related activities within the Township of Readington.
The registration of persons engaged in the above-mentioned activities is required
so that the identity of persons going door to door or distributing materials
within the township may be established, so that general regulations may be
more effectively enforced for the protection and maintenance of the health,
safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the township and to prevent dishonest
business practices and dishonest solicitation of funds in the township.
[Amended 8-21-1989 by Ord. No. 262-89]
Except as hereinafter provided in §§
171-12 through
171-14, it shall be unlawful for any transient merchant, hawker, peddler, junk dealer, solicitor or canvasser to sell or offer to sell any goods, publications or services or to solicit money within the Township of Readington without first applying for, paying a registration fee and obtaining the requisite license from the township.
Upon obtaining a license as provided, a peddler, solicitor or transient
merchant may conduct his activities within the township only so long as he
adheres to the regulations set forth herein and carries the license upon his
person conspicuously displayed at all times during the conduct of his activities.
The license shall identify the person, the type of activity for which he has
registered, a photograph on the license, the date of the validity of the license
and the words "Licensed Peddler" in letters and figures easily discernible
from a distance of 10 feet. Such badge shall, during the time such license
is engaged in peddling or soliciting, be worn constantly by the licensee.
All licenses issued under this chapter may be denied, revoked or suspended
by the Chief of Police or the Mayor and the Township Committee for any of
the following causes:
A. Misrepresentation or false statement contained in the
application.
B. Misrepresentation or false statement made in the course
of carrying on the activities herein.
C. Conviction of a crime or a misdemeanor involving moral
turpitude.
D. Conducting the licensed permitted business in an unlawful
manner and violation of this chapter, state or federal statute or regulation
or in such manner as to cause breach of the peace, to create a nuisance or
to constitute a menace to the health, safety or general welfare of the public.
E. A determination by the Chief of Police, after investigation,
that the applicant's character of business responsibility is unsatisfactory.
No requirement of this chapter shall be construed to abrogate the special
rights and privileges of:
A. Federal census takers or duly authorized takers of federal,
state or local governmental surveys, none of whom shall be required to comply
with this chapter.
B. Officers or employers of the township, county, state
or federal government when on official business.
C. Any person soliciting votes or support for any bona fide
political candidate seeking public office, including primary elections; any
activity or conduct connected with or relating to voter registration; or any
conduct or activity relating to the expressing of opinion in or soliciting
support for any political candidacy or public issue or question.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon
conviction thereof, be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment
for a term not exceeding 90 days and/or a period of community services not
exceeding 90 days. In addition, failure to comply with the terms and provisions
of this chapter may subject the licensee to suspension or revocation of license
to the sections enumerated above.
It is the duty of the Readington Township Police Department and Township
Construction Code Officials to enforce the provisions of this chapter.