MantolokingNovember 19, 2007 No. 399

Mayor Nebel opened this Council Meeting a little after 4:30 p.m. All Council members were present. 

The Mantoloking Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. December 9th  at Borough Hall. The tree was donated by The Seaweeders Garden Club after 9/11. Santa will make a special visit, carols will be sung and guests are then invited to enjoy goodies at the Firehouse. Andrew Flihan, Jean Hulse, Mary Ann Finch and Pricilla Hiby are coordinating this holiday event.

Mayor Nebel congratulated Beth Nelson and Don Ness for their election victories, and was glad State Question #3, the Green Acres bond issue, was passed. He also said the DEP has issued a “statement of no interest” regarding ‘property under water.’ A letter will be mailed to residents on this issue; it will also be on the Borough website.

Councilman Popaca moved a resolution appointing Borough Engineer,Thomas S. Guldin to the 2008 Ocean County Community Development Block Grant Program. It was passed.

Police Chief Wright said all has been quiet. There were 252 incidents for this reporting period which included  three 911 calls, three animal complaints, five Borough ordinance violations and one identity theft.

The Fire Company responded to 24 fire calls, had three training drills and a monthly meeting. Eighteen of the calls were alarms, one gas leak,  one CO alarm, a brush fire, a wires down, a car accident and a car in the bay at the BHYC. Eight of the calls were in Mantoloking.

Construction Official Wardell issued sixteen permits and five updates in October, for fire permits a/c units, pools, roofing, siding, plumbing,etc.

Land Use Officer, Thomas S. Guldin reported 27 applications were received in October, and 22 were approved.

Joseph DeAmicis, Chairman of the Environmental Commission, wrote he and his committee unanimously support Mayor Nebel and Council’s decision not to vacate  the southern end of Lagoon Lane. The Fire Company has also committed to this decision.

Finance Chairman, Councilman Witkowski, moved five resolutions which were all passed. They are:

Accept the report of Municipal Finance Officer, Michelle Swisher as of September 30, 2007; 

Pay bills totaling $234,198.71 for the month of November, 2007;

Transfer current year appropriations #1-2007 within the Municipal Budget. These budget items are minimal.

Consider Indemnity & Trust agreement for membership renewal in N. J. Intergovernmental Insurance Fund, January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2010, and

Accept miscellaneous Supply,Service and Maintenance Contracts for three years.These are for copy-machine leases.

Councilman Gillingham moved three resolutions: 

To approve the Interlocal Services Agreement between the Borough of Mantoloking and Ocean County concerning ‘driving-while-intoxicated’ checkpoints;

To approve the Mantoloking Fire Company Financial Reporting Obligations.  The Borough desires ”to assist the Fire Company in all aspects of its undertakings, including but not by way of limitation, compliance with corporate and tax exempt charitable organization regulatory requirements.” The Borough will foot the expenses for this improvement; and,

 Reintroduction of Ordinance # 544, Amendment to the Land Use Ordinance # 465, by title only. This will amend Chapter XXX, Land Use Regulations, of the Municipal Code. A public hearing on this proposed ordinance will be held at the next Council meeting. Residents can access information on www.mantoloking.org

Public Works Committee Chairman, Councilman Popaca, moved a resolution for payment #1 for the Runyon Lane and Albertson Street roadway improvements. It was passed. 

Councilman Jones reported on the October Dune Walk, the results of which are posted on the website. He said the beach was the best it has been in twenty years. However, two weeks later a storm washed out most of the sand and the beach is now a typical winter beach, but the dunes are still in good shape. The dunes always must be maintained. Beachfront home owners have a responsibility to care for their dunes, plant grass and keep their fences in good condition. This protects their own property as well as those properties adjacent to them. The Borough supplies the grass and fences.

On to Nourishment. Congress and the Senate overrode the President Bush’s veto of the WRDA bill. This allows us to go forward with plans but money is needed to go ahead, set up a bid package, etc. It will be at least two years before anything gets going. A mailing will be sent to residents.

Councilwoman Nelson moved a resolution to consider the solid waste and recycling contract option year #3 with M & S for $147,000 through March 1, 2009. It was passed. She talked about summarizing with  M & S, their services to us. It is a possibility Carmine won’t be covering Mantoloking next year, and we need a positive transition to a new person.  Cans picked up from the back of the house (3 are allowed), MUST be returned to the back, not strewn  in the front. Bags containing normal household trash should be picked up all days. If homeowners have a problem with pickup, call the Borough ASAP, not the M & S number listed in the Directory. We need facts to deal with problems of pickup. 

Councilman Jones said the codification outline is on the website.

Walter Bray suggested all miscellaneous paper delivered by the Post Office should be recycled. . . Joe and Margaret McNulty questioned the decision not to vacate the South Lagoon Lane property. Mayor Nebel said it was in the public interest. Anyway, it is Borough land.

The meeting was adjourned a little after 5 p.m. The next Council  meeting will be on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 4:30 p.m.

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The Reporter is written and edited by Christine Wilder.