MINTO – Updates to a bylaw designed to regulate transient traders in the municipality were approved by town council on Dec. 3.
Bylaw enforcement officer Cam Forbes told council the bylaw was last updated in 2000 and the current version does not address some issues that have arisen since that time.
In addition to providing definitions to terms such as “door-to-door sales” and “refreshment vehicle,” the updated bylaw:
– contains clear requirements to obtain a license;
– requires traders to have a current criminal background check and $2,000,000 liability insurance;
– requires written permission from the owner of a property serving as a temporary sales location and inspections of the premise by the required authorities;
– a requirement for all transient traders to display or carry a license and produce it upon request;
– prohibits door-to-door sales between 9pm and 9am Monday to Saturday and at all times on Sundays and statutory holidays; and
– sets fines to help recover some of the costs of enforcement.
The bylaw also regulates the installation and maintenance of clothing donation boxes.
“Donation boxes have been a bit of an issue the last couple of years, with people coming in and they’re not registered charities, they’re just people who want to put a box in to collect clothing and make a profit,” said Forbes. “So we’ve got some requirements for them to do that.”
The bylaw requires donation box operators to demonstrate an affiliation with a registered charity, adhere to size limitations, empty boxes weekly and “keep the boxes in good repair so they don’t make the town look messy,” said Forbes.
Councillor Judy Dirksen asked how the bylaw would impact roadside stands selling fruit, vegetables, maple syrup and other food items.
“You can sell food that you grown on your farm, at your farm,” said Forbes, noting any sales other than on a resident’s own property would require licensing and other requirements.
Forbes noted vendors at the Minto Farmers Market or at town-run special events would be exempt from bylaw requirements.
Councillor Jean Anderson suggested regular roadside vendors be notified of the change as, “We’ve allowed them to do it for years.”
Dirksen said she anticipates anyone unknowingly violating the bylaw for a first offense would likely be given a warning.
Forbes stressed, “The biggest problem is the door-to-door sales. We’ve got no way to really control it.”
In order for the door-to -door provisions to be enforced, Anderson noted, “people are going to have to call you and complain.”
“They do,” said Forbes.
