On this page you will find information pertaining to soliciting within the Town of Rowley. Included is the application form and town bylaw.
Solicitors should complete the Application Form for Solicitation House to House and then make an appointment to submit the application. Applications will be processed Monday-Friday between the hours of 08:00am and 4:00 pm. All parties who intend on soliciting for the agency must be present at the time of application in order to have their photos taken. Positive ID will be required at the time of application, as well as upon picking up the approved permit. Permits to issue no longer than 7 days. Any complaints about solicitor activity may result in revocation of a solicitor permit. Permits must be carried on person and displayed upon request. Each individual solicitor must register with the police department. All solicitors should review the associated bylaw prior to soliciting within the Town of Rowley. (Below) There is a $20.00 fee for each solicitor permit.
Solicitor Application Form = Application Form for Solicitation House to House
SOLICITOR AND CANVASSER BYLAW
(a) License. It shall be unlawful for any solicitor or canvasser defined in this Bylaw to engage in such business within the Town without first obtaining a license therefor in compliance with the provisions of this Bylaw.
(b) Definition of Solicitor/Canvasser. Any person who, for himself or for another person, firm or corporation travels by foot, automobile or any other type of conveyance from place to place, from house to house or street to street, selling or leasing, or taking or attempting to take orders for the sale or lease, at wholesale or retail, of goods, wares, merchandise or services including without limiting, the selling, distributing, exposing for sale or soliciting orders for magazines, books, periodicals or other articles of a commercial nature, the contracting of all types of home improvements, or the provision of any services to be performed in the future whether or not such individual has, carries or exposes for wholesale/retail sale a sample of the subject of such sale or whether he/she is collecting advance payment for such wholesale/retail sales.
(c) Application for License. Applicants for a license shall file with the Chief of Police, on a form issued by the Police Department, a written application signed under the penalties of perjury, containing the following information:
(1) Name of Applicant
(2) Address of Applicant (both local and permanent home address)
(3) Applicant’s height, weight, eye and hair color
(4) Applicant’s social security number
(5) The length of time for which the right to do business is desired
(6) A brief description of the nature of the business and the goods to be sold
(7) The name and office address of the applicant’s employer; if self-employed, it shall so state
(8) A photograph of the applicant which picture shall be submitted by the applicant and be 2″ x 2″ showing the head and shoulders of the applicant in a clear and distinguishing manner
(9) If operating a motor vehicle: The year, make, color, vehicle identification number, registration number, state of registration, and name and address of vehicle’s owner. Upon filing said application, each applicant shall pay a fee of Twenty ($20.00) Dollars.
(d) Investigation and Issuance of License.
(1) Upon receipt of the application form, the Chief of Police or his designee shall investigate the applicant’s reputation as to morals and integrity.
(2) After said investigation, but within seven (7) business days of the filing by the applicant, the Chief of Police or his designee shall endorse on such application his approval or disapproval. Failure of the Police Chief or his designee to act on said permit within seven (7) business days of the applicant’s filing shall constitute approval. If disapproved, the applicant shall have the
right to appeal to the Board of Selectmen in writing within seven (7) days of the denial by the Chief of Police or his designee. The Board of Selectmen must act upon the appeal at one of their next two regularly scheduled meetings. Failing to do so shall be deemed approval.
(3) Such license when issued shall contain the signature of the Chief of Police and/or the Board of Selectmen and shall show the name, address and photograph of said licensee, the date of issuance and the length of time the license shall be effective, as well as the license number.
(4) The Police Department shall keep a record of all licenses issued for a period of six (6) years. Solicitors and canvassers, when engaged in the business of soliciting or canvassing, are required to display an identifying document issued by the Police Department by wearing said document on their outer garment. Each licensee is required to possess an individual license.
(e) Enforcement. The Police Officers of the Town shall enforce this Bylaw. No license shall be transferable.
(f) Revocation. The Chief of Police or his designee is vested with the authority and Jurisdiction to revoke said license for violation of the terms of this Bylaw or other good cause. Any person aggrieved by said revocation may appeal in writing to the Board of Selectmen within seven (7) business days, and a public hearing will be scheduled for one of the next two regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Selectmen.
(g) Expiration of License. Each license issued under the provisions of this Bylaw shall continue in force from the date of issue until the 31st of December following, unless sooner revoked
(h) Renewal. A license issued under the provisions of this Bylaw may be renewed by the Chief of Police or his designee. An applicant requesting a renewal of a license must apply in person for such renewal, and provide such information as is required to obtain an initial license and pay a renewal fee of $20.00.
(i) Misrepresentation.
(1) No solicitor or canvasser licensed or exempted from license, may misrepresent in any manner, a buyer’s right to cancel as set forth in any of the Massachusetts General Laws.
(2) No solicitor or canvasser licensed or exempt from license may use any plan, scheme or ruse which misrepresents the true status or mission of the person making the call in order to gain admission to a prospective buyer’s home, office or other establishment with the purpose of making a sale of consumer goods or services.
(j) Trespassing. It shall be unlawful for any canvasser or solicitor to enter the premises of a resident or business who has displayed a “No Trespassing” or “No Soliciting” sign or poster. Further, it shall be unlawful for canvassers or solicitors to ignore a resident or business person’s “no solicitation” directive or remain on private property after its owner has indicated that the canvasser or solicitor is not welcome.
(k) Exemptions. The following shall be exempt from licensing requirements:
(1) Persons engaged in soliciting for charitable, religious or political purposes;
(2) Persons licensed or exempt from license under G.L. c. 101; and
(3) Route salespersons having established customers to whom they make periodic deliveries or solicitations, if they are calling upon customers or prospective customers located within their route.
(l) Penalty. Any person violating any provision of this Bylaw shall upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine not to exceed Fifty ($50.00) Dollars for each and every offense.
Solicitor and Canvasser Bylaw replaced the House to House Salesman Bylaw by action of Article 28 of the May 6, 2019 Special Town Meeting by Unanimous Vote, approved by Attorney General on Sept. 9, 2019 and posted according to law on Sept. 10, 2019.