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Millville narrowly approves ordinance limiting recording in certain city offices after debate about enforcement and security
Summary
The commission passed a second-reading ordinance that prohibits videotaping or audio recording in city offices designated nonpublic or limited public forums. Debate centered on enforceability, employee privacy and building security; the measure passed 3–2.
The Millville City Commission approved an ordinance on second reading that amends Millville Code Chapter 52 (police regulations) to prohibit the use of videotaping or audio-recording equipment in certain city offices or workspaces designated as nonpublic forums or limited public forums. The vote passed 3–2.
Why it matters: The ordinance sets rules for recording in specified municipal spaces and prompted a debate about balancing open government, employee privacy and practical enforceability of such rules.
What commissioners said: Commissioners divided on the measure. One commissioner argued the ordinance would be difficult to enforce and said existing building-security measures (locking doors, restricting access) are sufficient and that passing unenforced ordinances can harm public respect for the law. Vice Mayor Watson defended the measure as intended to protect the privacy of people conducting routine business in city offices, saying it was not intended to keep the public out but to "protect the privacy of those trying to conduct business within the city." Commissioners discussed alternative security steps (returning to earlier COVID-era visitor screening/buzzer procedures and securing interior doors) as practical measures to limit unwanted entry.
Vote and next steps: The ordinance passed on the recorded roll call (Hewitt No; Vice Mayor Watson Yes; Commissioner Kasaboom Yes; Commissioner Sui No; Mayor Romanek Yes). The municipal clerk will include the ordinance text and vote record in the official minutes; enforcement guidance and municipal staff procedures were not finalized at the meeting.
Process note: The public hearing on the ordinance was opened at second reading and closed with no public speakers recorded during the hearing; several commissioners spoke during the commission comment period.
