Rutland voters have 45 days to ask the Board of Aldermen to call for a public vote on a new ordinance that will place most of the city off-limits to sex offenders.
The board voted unanimously Monday to approve the measure backed by Mayor Christopher Louras. The ordinance is modeled on one passed last week in Barre. It bars sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school, park or day-care center.
The vote came after residents spoke both for and against the measure. Supporters said it is step toward improving child safety, while opponents said it would increase recidivism by driving offenders underground.