The Bennington Select Board has unanimously voted to eliminate ordinances prohibiting panhandling.
The move comes after the Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union wrote a letter to multiple communities arguing anti-panhandling ordinances were unconstitutional. The Bennington Banner reports town officials agreed they would not oppose eliminating ordinances if they were indeed unconstitutional.
Board Member Donald Campbell said at Monday's meeting that he found the letter "off-putting" but believes the ACLU had good intentions and that the town doesn't need the ordinance anymore.
Town Manager Stuart Hurd says local police have developed other ways to help people who have resorted to panhandling since its original passage in 2014.
With the unanimous repeal, there is a 60-day period where it can be appealed by petition.
