Lacy Committee debates joining New Jersey "film ready" program; tables ordinance until liaison is found

The Lacy Township Committee discussed whether to join New Jersey’s "film ready" program but decided to postpone any ordinance until the township identifies a municipal liaison to manage the effort.

Committee members and residents described the program as a state‑run registry of public and solicited private locations intended to make municipalities easier to find for film and commercial productions. Speakers said the state asked municipalities to post descriptions and high‑resolution images of distinct public locations; production applicants could pay an application fee the town sets (the discussion referenced $250–$500 as a possible fee). Proponents said even small productions can bring business to local restaurants, shops and rental suppliers; critics said the administrative burden and public‑safety planning could be substantial for small municipal staffs.

Several residents and committee members debated workload, safety planning and municipal capacity. Carol Little, a branding and corporate‑identity consultant in town, argued the program requires an ordinance, production resource lists, a code of conduct, a public‑safety plan and a dedicated municipal employee, and urged the committee to prioritize core services instead. Supporters said some productions are low‑impact — for example, a short commercial that would not require police or fire resources — and that listing local businesses could help mom‑and‑pop stores.

Committee members emphasized a key procedural constraint: the liaison cannot be an elected official. Because the township has not identified a willing municipal employee to serve as liaison, the committee voted to table any ordinance and "let people think about it" until a volunteer or staff member steps forward.

The committee asked staff to continue evaluating the program and to report back when a candidate for liaison is identified; no ordinance was introduced or adopted at the meeting.