Thorsby council approves ordinance to curb solicitation

Published 8:40 am Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Thorsby’s Town Council on Monday approved an ordinance that will regulate door-to-door solicitation.

Police Chief Rodney Barnett presented a draft of the ordinance to the council at its May 6 meeting, but council members had concerns about whether the measures would pertain to scouts, school groups and the like.

So, Barnett inserted language that the ordinance would not affect non-profit organizations, and the council unanimously approved the ordinance at a regular meeting Monday at Thorsby Annex.

Council members Marvin Crumpton and Randall Higgins were not present at the meeting.

In other business, the council:

•Decided to move forward with enabling online payments for water bills. Town Clerk Crystal Smith said such a feature on the town’s website would cost $45 a month and require a three-year contract.

•Voted to participate in the back-to-school sales tax holiday Aug. 2-4.

•Heard from Public Works Director Terry Jackson about the possibility of leasing property for the town’s public works shop. Jackson said the property, loated off Spearman Road, includes 20 acres and several buildings. Jackson said he would report back once he learned more.

•Heard from Calvin Cassady with Cassady and Company about possibly drafting a 10-year plan for the town to manage infrastructure projects. The council invited Cassady to attend a future meeting with an example of what his company could provide.

•Purchased a full-page advertisement in the Thorsby High School yearbook.