Harwich Voters to Decide on Solicitation Licensing Bylaw

Harwich Police Chief David Guillemette

HARWICH – During this May’s town meeting, Harwich voters will consider a measure to regulate door-to-door solicitation.

The proposed bylaw would require solicitors to be permitted through the town, allowing the police department to conduct background checks to determine if the applicant is suitable and reputable to conduct business in the town.

Harwich Police Chief David Guillemette recently addressed the town’s board of selectman and said the measure is geared to protect residents, particularly the elderly, but does not prohibit door-to-door sales.

“It’s not prohibiting door-to-door, it’s just an activity that based on the nature of the activity where somebody you don’t know is knocking on your door. We feel that it’s just important to regulate it,” Chief Guillemette said.

Residents would also have an option of signing up for a no solicitation list, and violations would include a $300 fine for a first violation, and revocation of the permit for a second violation.

Religious groups would likely be exempt from such a bylaw, and while youth groups like Girl Scouts would be subject to the bylaw, Chief Guillemette says the department would guide such groups through the permitting process.