Filming Ordinance Introduction Delayed

Those hoping to find out what a proposed town ordinance that would impose conditions for filming in Morristown would entail will have to wait a couple more weeks.

Town Council was expected to introduce an ordinance Tuesday, which would add a "filming" subsection to town code for "required fees, conditions of issuance of permits, reimbursement of certain costs and violations and penalties."

However, council Vice President Rebecca Feldman asked the introduction be tabled at least until the next council meeting on Oct. 23 because the present version is unclear.

"I don't feel we fully looked at all of the implications of it," she said.

The need for a filming ordinance gained traction a couple months ago when " a Jersey Shore spinoff series starring two of its main performers, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jenni "JWoww" Farley. The production company, 495 Productions, ultimately pulled out of filming here before it even began, eventually landing in Manchester in Ocean County. 

However, the project possibly coming to Morristown brought to light the lack of any filming ordinance in town. At the time, Mayor Tim Dougherty noted the town could not tell anyone seeking to film here they were unwelcome, but would look into whether or not any ordinances could be put in place to set certain conditions in the future.