Hearing on Mt. Pleasant Film Ordinance to Resume Tonight
The Mount Pleasant Town Board will be revamping its proposed legislation to regulate commercial filming in town after criticisms were leveled against the measure at a recent public hearing.
As originally proposed, the ordinance would have required a license for filming movies, television programs, commercials and other promotional materials unless the person is an owner or tenant of the property.
The legislation establishes a schedule of fees, which includes $500 for a nonprofit organization and a $1,000 fee for an advertising firm to use private property or $5,000 to film on public property. A $7,500 fee would be charged to those making a film, television program or video. There would be no charges for students.
Those who violate the law would face fines of at least $1,000 and up to 15 days in jail for each violation.
Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi said last week the town is in the process of crafting new language for the ordinance.
The law was proposed because officials realized that the town had no legal ability to regulate activity or charge fees following the filming of an episode of the television show “Law and Order” in town last year.
At a public hearing last month, town resident John Edwards was displeased with the original legislation, arguing that there were no exceptions included for personal use or coverage of news events.
“As such it will impinge greatly on the ability to report news or of individuals attempting to record wrongdoing by anyone, or a parent recording their kid’s graduation march,” Edwards said.
“Although I think a filming ordinance is a useful tool for regulating commercial filming, as it is written I think this ordinance will create many more problems than it will solve,” he added.
The public hearing on the legislation will continue at tonight’s meeting (Tuesday) at 8 p.m. at town hall in Valhalla.
