Pleasantville Village Board of Trustees Work Session – October 23, 2026

The Village Board of Trustees held a work session on October 23, 2026, to discuss the Pleasantville Music Festival, a proposed traffic signal analysis and peer review study, and procedures for the upcoming Lenar public hearing. The meeting included public comment from one resident.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ralph Fabrioli, owner of La Babia and a longtime resident, shared his experience organizing a successful "battle of the bands" event in Yonkers in the 1980s, which raised funds through low admission and local band participation. He suggested the Village could apply a similar model—using local musicians and a single stage—to continue the music festival at a lower cost. He expressed support for maintaining the festival but rethinking the approach.

Discussion Items

• Pleasantville Music Festival: The board reviewed the festival's financial performance, noting a net loss of $157,000 in the most recent year (including all costs such as overtime) and five consecutive years of losses. The executive director, Bruce Figler, has indicated this was his final year, and a key volunteer is also stepping back. The Mayor and board members discussed whether to continue the festival in its current form. Several trustees felt it had "run its course" financially and operationally, suggesting the board focus on smaller monthly civic space concerts and other community events. Others expressed interest in a revamped version featuring local bands and lower expenses. The public commenter proposed a local band showcase model. No consensus on a specific replacement was reached, but the board agreed the current festival format is not sustainable.
• Traffic Signal Analysis and Peer Review: The board discussed a proposal from engineering firm NV5 to conduct a traffic signal analysis at the Manville Road intersections with Washington Avenue, Wheeler Avenue, and Grant Street. These signals are state-owned, requiring coordination with the NYS DOT. The analysis would update traffic counts (last done in 2017) and optimize signal timing to address resident complaints about delays. The proposal also includes a peer review of speed data collected by DTS on Nannahagan Road near the school zone. Village staff praised NV5's work on the Safe Streets for All project and recommended approval. The board appeared supportive, and staff noted that additional intersections raised by trustees could be added to the scope.
• Lenar Public Hearing Logistics: The board finalized parameters for the upcoming public hearing on the Lenar proposal. Key decisions included: hearing from 7:00 PM to approximately 9:30 PM with a three-minute speaking limit per person, a sign-in sheet, and no back-and-forth dialogue between the public and the applicant. Lenar would be allowed to present a brief overview but not respond to comments during the hearing. The board also discussed the timeline for a vote, noting that a decision is unlikely on the hearing date and may extend into December or January 2027.

Key Outcomes

• Music Festival: No formal vote took place; the board agreed that the current festival model is unsustainable. Staff will explore alternative community event concepts, potentially incorporating elements of local band showcases and lower-cost productions.
• Traffic Study: The board broadly supported moving forward with the NV5 proposal. Formal authorization and funding approval are expected at a future meeting.
• Lenar Hearing: Procedures established as described. The public hearing will proceed, with the board expected to keep the record open for additional written comments. A timeline for a final decision was not set but is likely in late 2026 or early 2027.