One of the most contentious issues was raised by Christopher Gray, representing PBA Local 77, who addressed the council about ongoing communication breakdowns and personnel matters within the police department. Gray outlined concerns regarding the refusal to promote four officers, emphasizing that the mayor, as the appointing authority, held the power to make these promotions official. He noted that without formal recognition of their ranks, officers could be denied benefits tied to their positions, impacting their entitlement to injury or pension claims. Gray stressed that these promotions were crucial as the officers in question were fulfilling their duties without performance complaints. However, the lack of engagement from the council, particularly the absence of the police and fire chiefs from public safety meetings, was seen as detrimental to resolving these issues.

The dialogue became heated when Gray sought to extend his commentary to cover additional matters, including healthcare benefits for the widow of a retired officer, which the council had ceased to honor. He expressed frustration over the council’s decision, arguing that it would be less costly to fulfill the benefits rather than engage in arbitration.

The meeting also addressed broader budgetary concerns, with discussions about the financial implications of public safety spending dominating the conversation. A resident criticized the practice of police vehicles being taken home by officers, citing the additional costs incurred as a factor in rising property taxes. This sentiment was echoed by others who expressed discomfort with the financial burden on taxpayers, emphasizing the need for a disciplined approach to managing union contracts, including a potential pay freeze to alleviate financial pressures.

Further complicating matters, a council member raised questions about the fairness of providing benefits to the widow of Officer Roy Hines, noting that other retired officers’ spouses had not received similar support. The representative from the police union clarified that contractual language dating back to 2001 guaranteed these benefits, and the council’s recent decision to retract payments contradicted previous agreements.

The financial strain on the city was further highlighted by a resident from the Pleasantville Concerned Citizens group, who stressed that over half of the city’s budget was consumed by public safety expenditures. The resident urged the council to consider the findings of a survey conducted by Stockton University regarding police and fire manpower needs during budget discussions.

This was compounded by the ongoing grievances within the police department, which one council member linked to previous voting incidents that had resulted in departmental discontent.

Despite the contention, the meeting proceeded with the council addressing various ordinances and resolutions. Ordinance Number 14, amending city code regarding facility protection, was closed after a public hearing without comments. Ordinance Number 15, concerning a redevelopment plan, was introduced for a second reading in December. Resolutions related to retirement payouts, support for a cannabis business, tax certificate cancellations, and budget transfers were approved through roll call votes.