A focus of the meeting was the approval of Resolution 221, which awarded a contract to National Highway Products Incorporated for the installation of traffic signage, following the receipt of a $225,000 pedestrian safety grant from the Department of Transportation. This grant will fund LED stop signs and speed signs at various locations throughout Pleasantville, including Franklin Boulevard, Adams Avenue, and multiple sites on Woodland and Church Streets. The council’s discussion acknowledged the need for careful planning regarding the specific locations for these installations, particularly clarifying that a mention of “New Jersey” in relation to Franklin was intended for Church Street, not West Jersey.

Another major topic of discussion was a change order for the Green Street Recreation Reconstruction Project, addressed in Resolution 217. The project, initially budgeted at $366,591, was revised to $405,798.50 due to the unexpected discovery of three underground storage tanks, requiring an increase of $39,2750. This adjustment was approved without objections from the council members.

Additionally, several resolutions were passed to enhance Pleasantville’s fiscal management and service efficiency. These included Resolution 218 and Resolution 219, which authorized the city to join cooperative pricing councils with Lawrence County and Somerset County, respectively. These memberships are anticipated to improve budget efficiency by enabling Pleasantville to leverage better pricing for goods and services.

The council also tackled a comprehensive list of budget-related resolutions, including Resolution 220, which authorized payment of a debt service prior to the adoption of a temporary or permanent budget. This measure ensures the city remains financially sound as it transitions into the new fiscal year. Furthermore, Resolution 222 facilitated budget insertions into the 2025 budget.

Resolution 228 stood out as it awarded a contract to professional HR consultants for civil service human resources consulting services. During the discussion, a council member sought clarity on whether the contract period would extend into 2026, prompting a suggestion to amend the resolution to specify the duration more explicitly.

The meeting also addressed various appointments crucial for municipal operations in the upcoming year. Notably, Resolution 232 appointed the law office of Tracy Cosby as municipal attorney, while Resolution 234 designated Parker McKay as conflict municipal attorney. The council also approved appointments for municipal engineering, planning, and auditing services, emphasizing the city’s focus on efficient financial management and oversight of redevelopment projects.

In the realm of public safety and community welfare, the council discussed a significant expenditure of $112,986 for safety measures related to a service formerly known as ShotSpotter. Another highlighted expenditure was the payment of $44,475 for the Unity Park fence.

The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of community events and expressions of gratitude from council members. The Mayor recognized the contributions of former Councilman Stanley Swan, who donated gifts for senior door prizes, and praised the fire department’s involvement in community events. Additionally, the council discussed notable incidents, such as the delivery of two babies in unusual locations.