Mayor Fressola: 'Snooki' Production Came to Town Without Consultation, Promises to Behave

Since it was discovered last week that the MTV production "Snooki & JWoww" has arrived in Manchester, township officials have said that nothing prevents the crew from filming inside a Johnson Avenue residence. and will monitor the area for potential issues, as well as consider complaints from neighbors. Mayor Michael Fressola reiterates those points in a letter sent to Manchester Patch on Aug. 16:

Dear Manchester Residents,

I am totally amazed by the reaction of residents in Manchester, in print, by phone calls and emails regarding the TV production coming into Manchester. I say I am amazed since I thought I had explained to the reporter of the Asbury Park Press that by the time we heard of it, the arrangements for this production had already been completed.

I checked with the Township Attorney, with our Business Administrator, with our Code Enforcement Officer, with our Construction Office Official and our Township Planner. Each and every one confirmed to me that we had no ordinance in place to prevent a private owner of a residence from renting that residence for the purpose we are talking about. After the fact, the production company contacted our Business Administrator to inform her of what had already occurred and she was assured they would, for the short period of time they will be in Manchester, try hard to be good neighbors.

Our Police Chief has also spoken to the production company and they reiterated to him their desire to be good neighbors. Yesterday, the owner of the property called to tell me he will be onsite daily to assure they comply.

I am amazed, as I said before, by the comments by people who comment without having any idea of what actually happened or who don’t want to know of the facts. I can’t possibly believe that anyone could or would have anticipated that any TV production company would ever propose filming in our quiet town. Therefore, no ordinance prohibiting this was ever contemplated.

All I ask is that our residents learn all the facts regarding issues of this nature before they make comments in any venue. The public deserves to know the truth, which I tried to convey to the first reporter I spoke to and not be mislead by all the untrue statements made by a little more than a few.

P.S.: By the way, I understand both these performers are New Jersey residents. This is to address all who commented that this should have been done in New York where they live.

Michael Fressola

Mayor,