The most contentious item on the agenda was the proposed expansion of a manufacturing facility operated by Stonehart. The expansion aimed to add 7,770 square feet intended for improved manufacturing efficiency and increased warehousing space. However, the proposal faced considerable opposition from local residents, particularly concerning noise from rooftop exhaust fans and potential disturbances from increased industrial activity.

An acoustic expert presented findings from sound studies. Despite assurances that these levels would be lower than ambient noise from nearby Route 73, residents voiced concerns about continuous noise, especially during nighttime hours. Suggestions for mitigating noise included post-construction sound studies and the installation of sound barriers, with some residents advocating for the fans to be turned off after 11:00 PM to reduce nighttime disturbances.

The council’s voting process resulted in four approvals and two disapprovals for the use variance required for the expansion, falling short of the necessary five votes. As a result, the motion failed, and the site plan issues were rendered moot. The decision not to approve the expansion was influenced by the vocal opposition of residents who highlighted past incidents involving noise and safety concerns, including significant fires in the 1990s and 2022.

A separate application discussed during the meeting involved a proposal for a self-storage facility on a site that had been vacant for over a decade. This application, in contrast, received unanimous approval from the council members present. The proposed development includes a modern, climate-controlled facility with enhanced security measures, such as key fob access and 24-hour surveillance. The project was lauded for its low impact on traffic and its potential to revitalize a dilapidated area within the Business Development Zone.

The council also addressed a request to affirm the legal status of a duplex property on South Spruce Avenue, which was unanimously approved. The approval was based on the property’s historical use as a duplex prior to zoning ordinance changes that no longer permit such use in the area.