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Fanwood council adopts film-ready ordinance to attract productions
Summary
The Fanwood Borough Council on April 17 adopted Ordinance 2023-02-R creating a film-and-motion-picture chapter in the borough code to streamline permitting, designate a borough liaison and allow Fanwood to register as a Film Ready community with the state. Council recorded a roll-call adoption after no public comment.
Fanwood's governing body unanimously adopted an ordinance on April 17 to designate the borough as "film ready," creating a new subchapter in the municipal code to govern motion-picture and television productions.
The ordinance (2023-02-R) establishes a five-step process: pass the ordinance, designate a local liaison to process permits, adopt a code of conduct (by subsequent resolution), upload location images to the state's film library and implement permitting and safety procedures with local police and fire officials. Councilman Anthony Carter moved adoption on second reading; the council held a brief public hearing and heard no public comments before voting to adopt.
Supporters at the meeting said the program is intended to make it easier for productions scouting transit-accessible locations to work with Fanwood and to capture ancillary economic benefits for local businesses. A borough official described the plan as intentionally streamlined so that the administrator can coordinate approvals and avoid a cumbersome process.
Councilmembers discussed the need for a separate resolution to adopt the film code of conduct and for practical steps such as uploading location photos and coordinating police and fire safety requirements with production companies. Officials stressed that the ordinance is only the first step and said they expect to tailor permitting and fees, and to amend the process as experience dictates.
The ordinance was adopted by roll-call vote; one council member was recorded as excused on the roll call. The council directed staff to bring a model code of conduct and permit form for formal adoption at a future meeting. The new designation will also allow Fanwood to be listed on the state Film Commission's website as a film-ready community.
