A key highlight was the public outcry regarding ongoing disturbances in a Pleasantville neighborhood, a matter brought forward by resident Mr. Santos. For over two years, Mr. Santos has been dealing with unruly gatherings at a neighboring property, which he described as excessively noisy and disruptive. His frustration stemmed from the lack of resolution despite numerous complaints. Mr. Santos, who maintains a demanding work schedule with two jobs starting at 5:00 a.m., urged the council to take more actions to alleviate the situation. He referenced past communications with a council member, Linda, expressing that his grievances had not been adequately addressed. Mr. Santos highlighted the need for the issue to be escalated for more effective resolution.

The council acknowledged Mr. Santos’ plight. Efforts to address the problem included involvement from both code enforcement and the police department. However, the council admitted that their efforts might be limited by existing resources.

In addition to addressing neighborhood concerns, the council moved through a series of ordinances and resolutions. Ordinance Number Six, which involved fixing the salaries of certain city officials and employees, was adopted without objection following a public hearing. Similarly, Ordinance Number Seven, proposing the vacation of a portion of an alley, was introduced and scheduled for a second reading. Ordinance Number Eight, concerning exceeding municipal budget appropriation limits to establish a cap bank, was also advanced despite one dissenting vote.

The council also discussed Resolution 83, which proposed a moratorium on applications for Class 5 cannabis retailer licenses. This resolution, along with Resolution 84 supporting an amended residential plan by Spy Glass and Pleasantville Urban Renewal LLC, was passed unanimously. The development by Spy Glass was noted for no longer requiring participation in the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program, a change framed as beneficial for the community.

Additional resolutions involved various grant applications to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, including the Transit Village Grant Program, the Byway Grant Program, the Safe Streets to Transit Program, and a municipal aid grant application. These resolutions were approved without contest, supporting ongoing infrastructure improvements in Pleasantville.

A resolution authorizing a place-to-place transfer of a preliminary retail consumption liquor license to Cedar Liquor Market LLC was also approved. The market, still under construction, required separate approvals for place-to-place and person-to-person transfers. Another resolution concerning a union management employee salary adjustment was also passed.

The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of community figures. The mayor noted the passing of former Chief Gordon, who served the community for 38 years and was involved in missionary work. Attendees were urged to keep Gordon’s family in their thoughts. The chief of police announced an open house scheduled for May 10th, featuring activities for children and the community. A new junior cadet program, aimed at seventh and eighth graders, was introduced, offering a hands-on experience of firefighter duties. The chief highlighted a recent health fair hosted by Shore Memorial, which saw positive community participation.