Essex Special Town Meeting To Vote On Proposed ‘Do Not Solicit’ Registry

ESSEX, CT — Essex residents will be asked Nov. 18 to decide whether the town should establish a “Do Not Solicit” registry for homeowners who do not want commercial solicitors coming onto their property.

The Special Town Meeting will be held immediately after a 6:55 p.m. public hearing at Essex Town Hall, 29 West Avenue. Remote access will also be available by Zoom. The only item scheduled for action is adoption of the proposed ordinance.

Under the proposal, owners or lawful occupants of residential properties could register their addresses with the town, either through the First Selectman’s office or through a form on the town website. Registered addresses would remain on the list until a resident requests removal or the town learns that a property has changed occupants or ownership.

Commercial solicitors would be required to obtain the current registry before beginning door-to-door activity and would be prohibited from entering registered properties, knocking on doors, ringing doorbells or otherwise disturbing residents at those addresses.

The ordinance would apply to commercial solicitation but would exempt nonprofit organizations, religious groups, political canvassing and certain public safety or civic activities.

Violations could result in a $250 fine for each offense, up to $2,500 per municipal citation. The ordinance would also allow the town to revoke a peddler or solicitor license after multiple violations or if the activity creates a public nuisance. Enforcement would be handled by Essex constables or the resident state trooper.

The proposal follows Essex’s adoption earlier this year of an amended ordinance regulating hawkers, peddlers and vendors. If approved at the Special Town Meeting, the new ordinance would take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper circulating in Essex.