CURWENSVILLE – Work continues to update an ordinance restricting door-to-door peddling in Curwensville Borough.
At Monday’s meeting, the Curwensville Borough Council discussed potential changes to the peddling ordinance.
Council member Dave Donahue said Police Chief Mark Kelly had a good idea. Donahue said Kelly suggested that the borough make up tags or cards with the borough logo that could be worn on lanyards.
He said the lanyards would let the residents know which peddlers had been approved by the borough to sell.
Council member Tom Carfley said there used to be signs along the main routes into town telling people that certain permits were required.
He wasn’t sure if the signs were still there, but the borough should replace them if they’re missing. Carfley said the prices for the permits were “way out of line” and should be reviewed.
The council also discussed the background checks and how extensive they should or shouldn’t be.
Council President Sara Curulla recommended the council members continue to review the ordinance and bring their suggestions to the next meeting.
According to previously-published GANT News articles, under 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.
