Berkeley Decreases Solicitation Hours In Senior Communities

BERKELEY, NJ — The Berkeley Township Council amended the Township Code to decrease door-to-door business in senior communities at a recent meeting.

The shortened solicitation hours come after "lots of complaints" from the senior community, Mayor Carmen Amato said.

Solicitation hours in Berkeley are between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, according to the Township Code. In senior communities, the hours will now be shortened to 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Door-to-door business activity in Berkeley is not permitted on the following family-oriented holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The change was welcomed by residents. Joseph Palmerson, chairman of Holiday City Carefree's Neighborhood Watch, thanked the council and mayor, saying that this was "what the community really wants."

Township Clerk Beverly Carle reminded residents that Berkeley offers a "Do Not Knock" registry for anyone who wishes to have no solicitations. Carle said that the registry has grown to more than 100 pages. There are exceptions for the registry; political and religious organizations are still allowed to knock. You can find the registration form here.