MILLTOWN — The practice of organizations collecting change at intersections is now banned in the borough.
The Milltown Borough Council adopted an ordinance July 23 by a vote of 4-1 to prohibit the practice of “soliciting, selling, hawking, peddling and canvassing” within any roadway, despite protests from representatives of veterans’ groups who often raise funds that way.
Councilman Joseph Pietanza was the lone dissenter.
Borough officials, including councilmen Gary Holsten and Randy Farkas, cited safety and liability concerns.
“It’s nothing personal to the Knights of Columbus or the American Legion, especially in this society where it’s so hard to raise money right now,” Holsten said.
“I personally witnessed people coming down, wanting to help the Knights of Columbus, and the light turns green and … somebody bumped [another vehicle’s] bumper,” he added. “We have to do something; it can’t continue the way we’re going. We’re getting requests from all over the state [from organizations to collect donations] because many of the towns don’t allow it.”
Other officials suggested that collecting donations near entrances of some retail businesses would be a better option to raise money.
Mayor Eric Steeber produced a list of other communities in the county and discussed how they addressed the issue. Many communities such as Edison, Dunellen and Middlesex allow the practice with the approval of local or county and state officials — if it is a state or county road.
Some of the same communities also allow the practice only if the group is local or a nonprofit.
Though Steeber asked professionals about the ability to continue the practice based on specific criteria, borough officials were wary of the liability resulting from picking and choosing which groups could collect at intersections.
According to Steeber, other communities including East Brunswick, Carteret, North Brunswick and Old Bridge don’t allow collecting at intersections under any circumstances.
Some residents, including representatives of the Our Lady of Lourdes chapter of the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2319 (VFW), criticized the new restrictions.
“Like any government entity, you’re doing what everybody likes to do today. You have a little problem, and instead of using a fly swatter, you’re using a gun,” resident Tom Kwietniak said. “The point is, just make up some regulations that govern this so people know what the safety rules are. Require vests. That’s all you have to do.
“This is ridiculous. These people do good work,” Kwietniak added, requesting that borough professionals explore the legality of limiting the practice to certain groups.