Soliciting Standard Needed
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

A standard must be set by trustees to measure future solicitation permit requests, said Mayor Peter Bee at the December 6th Board of Trustees meeting.

His concern stemmed from a request by the group Citizens Campaign for the Environment, who requested authorization to conduct a door-to-door solicitation campaign between January 2nd and March 1st.

Village Counsel Gerard Fishberg said that although it is difficult to restrict charities and those who wish to speak about a cause, solicitation hours can be regulated. In a unanimous vote, the Board voted to limit the solicitation time. The group will be permitted to solicit between 4 and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Bee was uneasy about not allowing any solicitation on Saturday. Village staff had recommended allowing solicitation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Trustee Donald Brudie argued against Saturday solicitation because he said people are entitled to their privacy.

The Village's solicitation law prohibits all unwanted commercial solicitations and distributions on all private residential property in the Village and prohibits non-commercial solicitations and distributions on private property to the extent desired by the resident. Any resident requesting not to be solicited should complete a "Notice of Objection" form at Village Hall.