Jackson Twp. supervisors give guidance on updated solicitors ordinance

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors continued a discussion of an updated solicitors and peddlers ordinance at the Dec. 1 meeting.

A draft ordinance hasn’t been put together yet, but the township solicitor asked for further details about what supervisors want to see included.

Supervisor Thomas Houtz said they’re looking into updating the ordinance to improve the process and make sure it covers what residents are experiencing.

“One, we want to have a better way of managing the system, but two, as we kind of went through here, there are a lot of different ways that business occurs today,” he said after the meeting.

Attorney Megan Ryland Tanner said North Cornwall Township recently had a substantial solicitors and peddlers ordinance update, and she brought several aspects of that ordinance to Jackson Township to see if they wanted something similar. Her main questions revolved around food trucks and delivery drivers, times and days that people can solicit, and school-age kids selling or fundraising.

Supervisors said they’re OK with the typical food trucks and delivery drivers throughout the township because there aren’t many places they could set up long-term. He said the issue would arise if someone decides to set up camp on a roadway or in a park.

“They’re licensed, they’re permitted, they’re on the road, they can park where anybody can park,” Houtz said.

Tanner said the township’s existing ordinance outlines that solicitors can knock on doors between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., but it doesn’t include legal or federal holidays. Supervisors said they would like holidays to be included as times when solicitors and peddlers cannot go door-to-door. They also wouldn’t be able to sell on Sundays.

Houtz added that he doesn’t want the ordinance to be so strict that local Girl Scouts couldn’t sell Girl Scout cookies to their neighbors.

“I think that it makes sense to do an exception that’s crystal clear, that this does not apply to kids,” Tanner said. “Things like somebody put a lemonade stand in their front yard, or you’re soliciting for a fundraiser for the football team or for nonprofits.”

She said under an updated ordinance, they’d look to get as much information as possible from any solicitors through the application and permitting process to keep citizens safe.

“I think the bottom line is that the whole goal is to protect citizens and not hamper small businesses,” Houtz said.

He said there isn’t a timeline for when the ordinance will be advertised or adopted at this point, but Tanner said she hopes to have a draft ready by the next meeting, when supervisors and township staff can review the draft and offer feedback for changes.

In other business, supervisors:

• Heard a report that their 2024 audit came in all clear, with all payments made matching with actions they voted on in their meetings.
• Are looking to approve their final 2026 budget at the next meeting. Local real estate taxes will stay consistent for township residents at 0.1801 mills.
• Voted to defer the rec fee for the Jay and Miriam Weaver subdivision plan until the land development plan for each lot is submitted.

The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors will meet next at 60 N. Ramona Road on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.