CURWENSVILLE – Some unsavory characters have prompted Curwensville Borough to revisit the peddling and soliciting ordinance.
At Monday’s meeting, the Curwensville Borough Council discussed the need to update the ordinance.
Council President Sara Curulla said there were some individuals in town last week who were causing problems. Curulla said they had come into the borough building to get a permit, and left water running in the bathroom overnight.
According to her, they spent an inordinate amount of time in the office, which interfered with the secretary’s duties and the council received several complaints from residents about the way the individuals were conducting themselves while soliciting.
Curulla said one of the individuals had outstanding arrest warrants and the situation was handled by the police department.
Curulla said the ordinance was under review by members of council as well as with the borough’s solicitor to be discussed and approved at a future meeting.
According to the present ordinance, “peddling” is defined as engaging in peddling, canvassing, soliciting or the taking of orders, either by sample or otherwise, for any goods, wares or merchandise upon any of the streets or sidewalks, or from house to house, within the borough of Curwensville.
Peddling does not include farmers selling their own produce, the sale of goods, wares and merchandise where the proceeds are applied to any recognized charitable or philanthropic purpose; or any manufacturer of producer in the sale of bread and bakery products, meat and meat products or milk and milk products (except ice cream.)
Any person wishing to engage in peddling must first make application to the mayor for a license. They must exhibit a valid county license, give their name and address, any criminal records, names of the person or persons for whom they work, the timeframe for which they wish to be licensed, vehicle type and license number of any vehicles, which will be used, and the number of people assisting with the peddling.
Once the license has been issued, peddling activities cannot begin before 9 a.m. or after 10 p.m. on any weekday or before 1 p.m. or after 10 p.m. on Sundays.
Peddlers are not allowed to “hawk” or “cry” their wares upon streets or sidewalks or use loudspeakers, “bull horns” or any device for announcing his presence by which the public is annoyed.
Peddlers are not authorized to occupy any “fixed” location upon any streets, alleys or sidewalks.
The mayor is authorized to suspend any license issued under the ordinance. The ordinance does not apply to any local branch of any state or national charitable organization. Violations of the ordinance can result in a fine of up to $300 plus court costs.
