Newtown Borough Board of Burgesses Backs Joint Effort to Update Solicitation Ordinance

NEWTOWN, CT — The Borough of Newtown Board of Burgesses voted Oct. 14 to support a collaborative effort with the town to review and potentially amend local rules governing door-to-door solicitation.

During the regular meeting at Edmond Town Hall, Warden Joseph Maher welcomed Laura Miller and Jordana Bloom of the Town Ordinance Committee to discuss possible revisions to Chapter B64, which regulates vendors, hawkers, and peddlers.

Miller described residents’ frustrations with uninvited solicitors and said the current permitting and enforcement process needs to be streamlined. She emphasized that police involvement would be essential for effective enforcement. Bloom noted Ridgefield has successfully banned solicitation since 2018 and said most solicitors are large national companies rather than local businesses.

The committee is considering exemptions for nonprofit, political, and religious groups. Bloom and Miller said they hope to work with the borough to craft language that serves both jurisdictions.

Burgess Peter Schwarz, who has drafted possible edits to the existing borough ordinance, offered to share his work with the town committee. The board agreed cooperation would be beneficial and voted unanimously to urge the Legislative Council to take up the issue and coordinate efforts before any borough amendments are made.

Insurance Application Progress

Maher said the borough’s insurance application remains in progress. He recently met with town insurance broker Jason Guerrera and held a virtual meeting with Glenys Salas, Finance Director for the Town of Newtown, to review details. An update will be provided in November.

Tree Warden’s Report

Tree Warden Rob McCulloch reported that running bamboo was identified at 15 Glover Avenue, and he will work with the homeowner to mitigate it. He said most tree stumps on the town’s removal list have been ground and that work is underway to remove a dead maple in front of Burgess John Madzula II’s Main Street home.

Financial Reports Approved

Tax Collector Jodie Enriquez reported $283,300 had been submitted to the treasurer as of the end of September, representing 97.47 percent of current taxes collected from the 2024 grand list.

Treasurer Ann Scaia said September deposits included $10,800 from tax collections and $295 from zoning fees. Transfers between the operating and insured cash sweep accounts were completed to cover invoices, payroll, and investment balances.

Both reports were unanimously approved.

Zoning and Historic Updates

Zoning Enforcement Officer Joe Chapman submitted a written report noting inspections, permits, and enforcement actions at several borough properties. He said a site inspection was conducted at 69 Main Street and that enforcement would begin if issues were not resolved. A public hearing on the same property is scheduled by the Historic District Commission for Oct. 23.

Infrastructure Notes

Maher said work continues at the Church Hill Road and Queen Street intersection, with completion targeted before Thanksgiving.

The next meeting of the Board of Burgesses is scheduled for Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Edmond Town Hall.