LITCHFIELD — The Economic Development Commission on Wednesday weighed in on the Borough of Litchfield's recent decision to ban the filming of commercials within its boundaries.
The borough's Board of Warden and Burgesses decided July 10 to prohibit filming of any kind in the future, a ruling that came about six weeks after a pet food commercial was filmed in the center of town.
Some merchants complained about the filming, saying they were not notified it would be taking place and that it disrupted business. They placed the blame for the lack of communication on the borough. Other businesses, however, said they were properly notified and welcomed the filming and the added customers it brought them.
The borough board's stance is unfortunate, according to the Economic Development Commission.
"This is not an answer that should be allowed to stand and this subject is worth a conversation," commission Chairman David Dean said of the borough's decision. "We think (filming) could be a positive for the town. It certainly would increase the aura of Litchfield." The borough board, according to the minutes of its July 10 meeting, criticized the Economic Development Commission and the Northwest Connecticut Tourism Bureau for failing to support the filming of the commercial in late May.
Like many residents in town, however, the commission's members said they didn't know the commercial was taking place until filming began.
But according to the borough board's minutes, borough residents and business owners were notified of the filming ahead of time by the borough and the media. The Republican-American, the daily newspaper with the largest circulation in Litchfield, learned of the filming the day it began.
"Obviously there were no clear guidelines in place on how to do this," commission member Douglas Parker said. "We believe this type of experience could be a positive for the town, as long as it is handled in an appropriate manner."
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