Eatontown council introduces state 'film-ready' ordinance, clarifies student-film and standby-fee rules

The borough council on March 25 introduced a state-model "film-ready" ordinance intended to make Eatontown eligible for the film-ready designation and to provide a local framework for permitting professional and nonprofessional filming.

Mayor Anthony Talarico described the ordinance as the model template from the state film commission and said it includes five required steps such as appointing a film liaison and adopting the ordinance. He said the ordinance requires producers to pay for any firefighter or police standby required during filming so taxpayers are not subsidizing productions.

"We have to pay for the firefighters and stuff...it goes to firefighters themselves," the mayor said, noting the fee for firefighter standby is included in the template. Council members raised questions about a modest student fee listed in the template, how the code would treat smaller noncommercial projects and whether special permission would be needed for nighttime shoots. The mayor said the ordinance includes a low student fee (a $25 category for noncommercial or student films) and broad discretion to distinguish between trivial student projects and professional productions that require resources or street closures.

Councillors moved the ordinance for introduction and set the public hearing for April 8. Administration staff and the borough's planner and legal counsel will provide any clarifications requested by council in advance of the hearing.

The ordinance also includes provisions to promote local vendors (a business registry) so productions can identify local services such as florists, caterers and set suppliers.