Bell Acres Council Approves New Solicitation Ordinance

Bell Acres Council unanimously approved a solicitation ordinance Monday that requires people to apply for a permit before going door to door.

The new ordinance also prevents strangers from going to residences where “no solicitation” signs are posted.

Councilman Kenneth Alvania made the motion and Councilman Chris Abell moved to second it before the board approved the measure 6-0. Councilman Robert Powner was absent.

Borough officials say the ordinance protects and assures the public that people who are soliciting in their neighborhood have been checked out in advance. Solicitors must pay a $150 permit fee, which covers the costs of a criminal background check and permit preparation.

Permits containing the name and address of the person soliciting must also be visible at all times. The ordinance limits solicitation to the hours between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and it bars soliciting after 5 p.m. to places that do not want evening soliciting.

Nonprofit organizations, such as churches and scouting groups, are exempt from the ordinance, as is anyone under age 18.

“We want to make sure we’re not forcing 8-, 9- and 10-year-old kids to pay $150 to sell some cookies,” said council President Dennis Young.

The ordinance also limits solicitation to the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and no soliciting after 5 p.m. to places that do not want evening soliciting. Penalties range from $100 to $300 in fines, up to 30 days in jail or revocation of the permit.

Solicitor Robert Junker said some organizations may be required to have permits at the state level as well, under the Charitable Solicitation Act.

For more information on the new ordinance, .

Coordinator appointed

In other news, council appointed as the borough’s emergency management coordinator. The board last month accepted Bill Bender’s resignation from the position but had not filled the vacancy.

Young said the volunteer position requires considerable training, and he had hoped to have someone onboard to review the borough’s emergency action plan before winter strikes.  Logan, who also the , would be permitted to appoint a deputy to help him. Bender will continue serving as the borough’s mitigation person.  

House Bill 1950

Council noted that the state House Finance Committee recently approved House Bill 1950, which as drafted includes language that would pre-empt local zoning ordinances and allow the gas industry to drill a well in any zoning district, even residential areas.

Young said it took Bell Acres months to create its . He asked residents and officials to send a note to local representatives Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon, and Robert Matzie, D-Ambridge, advising them on how borough officials feel about the matter.

“Let them know this would not be a good thing,” Young said.