Would You Support A “Do Not Solicit” List For Millbury? Let’s Talk About It.
Hi neighbors,
Have you ever had your evening dinner interrupted by a knock on the door from a solicitor? Or found yourself frustrated by repeated visits from people selling products or services you didn’t ask for? You’re not alone—and we think it’s time to start a conversation about creating a “Do Not Solicit” list here in Millbury.
Massachusetts towns and cities have adopted local ordinances that allow residents to opt into a municipal "Do Not Solicit" list. This list gives residents the ability to register their property to prevent door-to-door solicitors (excluding political canvassing, religious outreach, and certain non-profits, which are protected under the First Amendment) from knocking uninvited.
The Do Not Solicit list provided to door-to-door solicitors would include only street addresses — no names or personal details — and would be given to permitted solicitors when they register with the town. Solicitors who ignore the list could face fines or lose their permit. This policy helps protect residents' privacy while still honoring the legal rights of those conducting permitted outreach.
Why Consider This for Millbury?
We already have a basic solicitor permit process, but without a “Do Not Solicit” option, residents who prefer not to be disturbed have no formal recourse. A Do Not Solicit list would:
Provide residents more control over uninvited sales visits
Protect vulnerable populations (like seniors or people with health concerns) from high-pressure tactics
Reduce interruptions during important times like dinner, remote work, or family time
Bring our local ordinance in line with neighboring towns
We’re Gauging Interest — Want to Be Included?
We’re putting together a proposal to bring to the Millbury Board of Selectmen, but we want to make sure the community is on board before we do. If you’re interested in opting in or simply supporting the idea, please let us know by completing and submitting the interest form below.
This is just an early step to see if there’s enough support to ask the town to amend the current ordinance. Your voice matters. IIf there’s enough interest, a town warrant article could be drafted and submitted for a future Town Meeting — not the one on May 6, 2025, but at a later date — where registered voters would have the opportunity to vote on it.
Let’s make sure our town rules reflect what our community really wants.
Please share with your neighbors, especially those who don’t use social media often. The more voices we have, the stronger our request will be.
Thank you for being part of the conversation!
Interested Or Intrigued?
Fill out the form below to stay informed and show your support. We'll use this list to share updates and demonstrate community interest when we present our proposal to the Millbury Board of Selectmen for a stronger solicitation ordinance — including the creation of a “Do Not Solicit” list for residents who prefer not to receive uninvited sales visits.