The Town of Newtown has received a number of complaints in recent days and weeks concerning representative from a group called Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) soliciting in local neighborhoods.

The Town issued a statement on Friday, November 20, in regard to a number of complaints received by the First Selectman’s office.

“We have received a number of complaints from residents regarding a ‘door-knocking’ campaign underway by the Citizens Campaign for the Environment,” the statement read in part. “Our efforts to stop or curtail the campaign have been disregarded by the organization.

“Unfortunately, the Town has no legal right to deny the group access to our community. However, we continue to alert them to our concerns and ask that they stop canvassing in our neighborhoods, especially during the evening hours,” the statement continued.

According to CCE’s website, the group’s mission is “…to build widespread citizen understanding and advocacy for policies and actions designed to manage and protect our natural resources and public health.” CCE’s website shows a number of areas of concern, including water protection; public health, toxins and recycling; open space and wildlife habitat; climate change and energy policy; and legislative campaigns.

The group is required to notify police in advance when and where they will be canvassing. That has apparently been done, according to the statement, “so the police have the right information at hand.”

The Town will continue to monitor these activities.

To contact CCE’s Connecticut office, which is located in Hamden, call 203-821-7050 or send email to hamden@citizenscampaign.org. To report suspicious or abusive activity, contact the Office of the First Selectman at 203-270-4201 or Newtown Police Department at 203-426-5841 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergencies only).