It's OK, You Are Free To Frown In This Somerset County Town

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Officials want residents and visitors to know "it is not in fact illegal to frown in Bernards Township."

The Township Committee passed a resolution on Tuesday night addressing a 1995 resolution (#95068) which "had good intentions" by declaring Bernards Township a "Frown-Free Town Zone."

The humorous new resolution (#2023-0486) was authored after Bernards Township Mayor Andrew McNally said his daughter alerted him.

"It has earned us the not so wonderful distinction on websites" like stupidlaws.com or articles by NJ101.5 listing the Top 5 Most Ridiculous Laws in New Jersey.

McNally wanted to clear up some confusion over whether it was illegal to frown in Bernards Township.

"Let me be clear it has never been illegal to frown in Bernards Township. If it were we would have a lot of law breakers," McNally said.

McNally said he even checked with Chief Jon Burger to see if any citations have ever been issued for this and none have been reported.

"Needless to say if it were illegal it would be a gross violation of the first amendment for free expression, free speech, and our United States Constitution," said McNally.

The original resolution (#95068) began with a Ridge High School student with the hopes and intention to ensure that the small-town friendliness of the community wouldn't be lost in the crowd due to the increase in population. The student wanted to promote positive feelings to create an association for residents between smiling and the community, according to the new resolution read on Tuesday.

"Tonight we are doing a resolution that honors the good nature and meaning of the people who came before us who established the 'Frown-Free Town Zone.' But nonetheless makes very clear that while we hope you don't have any reason to frown you are, of course, free to do so in Bernards Township," said McNally.

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