A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to addressing concerns raised by Mr. King, a long-standing resident, about speeding on Mullens Avenue and Alfred Avenue. King recounted a near-accident involving a speeding vehicle. He emphasized the particular threat during rush hours, pointing out that the neighborhood had evolved from a child-populated area to one with aging residents. King’s plea for traffic safety measures, such as speed bumps, highlighted the communal unease about vehicular speed, which has been exacerbated by the changing demographics.

King’s concerns extended beyond speeding, as he noted an increase in criminal activities, including car break-ins, that have plagued his neighborhood over the past two years. He attributed part of this rise in crime to the emergence of “flop houses,” which he believed were undermining the safety and livability of the area. Despite acknowledging the police department’s efforts, particularly their success in a recent investigation leading to an arrest, King advocated for more robust measures to combat crime and improve neighborhood safety.

Mindy Smith, another resident, brought attention to the perceived impact of Rowan University on the town. She voiced dissatisfaction with the bypass project’s stagnation and critiqued the recent implementation of paid parking, which she felt unfairly burdened residents and visitors. Smith’s comments suggested a growing sentiment among some residents that the university’s expansion was overshadowing community needs, particularly with the transformation of the town’s atmosphere since her arrival. Her statement, “I just don’t understand why Rowan gets what Rowan wants,” encapsulated a feeling of displacement as the university’s presence expanded.

The council members responded by reiterating that Rowan’s developments required coordination with the borough and emphasized ongoing communication with university officials to address public safety and service concerns. They assured citizens that efforts were underway to maintain the quality of life in Glassboro while navigating the challenges of a growing university presence.

Parking regulations were a recurring theme throughout the meeting. Residents expressed frustration with the impact of paid parking on local businesses, noting that the initiative wasn’t intended as a revenue generator but as a solution to vehicle overflow issues, particularly around Rowan Boulevard. The implementation of paid parking was reported to have increased parking availability by 38% year-over-year and seemingly reduced disturbances such as popup parties. However, concerns persisted about the system’s fairness, especially for seniors struggling with the payment app. A proposal for a “Golden Tuesday” was introduced to allow seniors free parking on designated days using a placard, addressing some of these concerns.

Discussions also touched on the legal implications of providing residents with hang tags for parking, with some council members warning of potential misuse leading to previous parking challenges. Despite some dissatisfaction with the parking system, council members argued that it had achieved its goals of increasing business turnover and reducing crime rates.

The meeting further addressed housing regulations, particularly the limitation of new construction of houses with more than five bedrooms to specific areas. This measure aimed to manage the student influx and preserve community integrity amidst the growing population. Conversations about development projects included the sale of a 14-acre forested area at Higgins and Martin Luther King Drive to a private developer, which stirred concerns about the type of housing proposed and the borough’s involvement.

Public comments prompted discussions on property management, with residents like Rich Bent and Sherry Smith raising issues about parking enforcement and traffic safety. Bent lamented the lack of police presence in his neighborhood and expressed concerns about the enforcement of parking regulations, while Smith highlighted the safety risks posed by increased traffic and student parking habits, particularly on Harvard and Lehi Roads.