After months of study, the Junk Study Committee will present Town Meeting with a proposed new set of regulations for businesses and organizations that sell used merchandise.

Praising the committee’s work, Selectmen Tuesday voted to recommend approval of the new bylaw.

The study committee was formed last spring in the wake of officials’ realization that the current "junk bylaw" allows for only five “junk licenses” but contains a definition of businesses requiring a license that includes about 60 operations in town: Everything from true junk dealers to the Salvation Army store to consignment shops.

Thomas Bicki, chair of the Junk Study Committee, told Selectmen that, “because of issues associated with the number of licenses, terminology, zoning, enforcement, problems with flea markets, and donation collection containers -- it was decided we would scrap the existing bylaw and propose a completely new bylaw.”

The proposed new bylaw contains a similarly broad definition of those subject to the bylaw but does not cap the number of available licenses, gives Selectmen broad authority over fee, and specifies who should enforce it.

“One of the problems with the previous bylaw was enforcement, and this proposed bylaw gives the enforcement authority to Board of Selectmen, the police, and the heath agent, so there is a broad authority for a whole lot of organizations to deal with these issues,” said Bicki.

Selectman Peter Teitelbaum praised the committee’s work and said he was impressed that the proposed new bylaw would have no cap on the number of licenses, would give significant authority to the Board of Selectmen to establish conditions for outside storage, and would allow Selectmen to establish license fees.

Selectman Alan Slavin asked Bicki if the new bylaw would cover churches and charitable organizations’ sale of used goods. Bicki responded that the committee's position was that everyone should have a license, but Selectman would have the authority to waive fees.

The proposed new bylaw will be presented to voters at the Oct. 26 Town Meeting.