Mayor William K. Dunbar, III read his Oath of Office for a second term to run through December 31, 2006. Councilmen John H. Jones and Alan C. Laymon read their Oaths of Office for terms to end December 31, 2005.

All Councilmen were present. The Mayor thanked Council for its help and cooperation and he outlined some of the projects for 2003: The construction of the Mantoloking Bridge, the work to be done on Route 35 and, as always, beach renourishment.

In new business, Councilman Jones was elected Council President. Council appointed officials, committees and boards for 2003, appointed official depositories, official newspapers, the 2003 emergency management council, and tax appeal agents. Council designated a procedure on payment of bills, a petty cash fund and the custodians, and the procedure on delinquent tax collection. It adopted a 2003 temporary budget and a cash management plan.

In the December issue of The Reporter, Bill Richardson was quoted as saying „it is safer to leave it as it is than bulldoze the berm‰ which should be attributed to Councilman Husted.

The Mantoloking Directory will go to press early in May. Please write, call 732 899-2386 or e-mail ccwilder@comcast.net with additions (your e-mail address), corrections or subtractions. The Reporter is on the Mantoloking.Org web page, and can be, and is, e-mailed to a long list of residents. Doing so does eliminate some of the costs of publishing The Reporter.

In 2001, donations from 145 residents of Mantoloking allowed The Reporter to be sent to you. Printing, postage and labels, the Directory, envelopes and printing of same, bulk mail fee and the PO box, all add up about $3900 per year...labor is gratis. We are running low on funds. There are LOTS more than 145 homeowners in Mantoloking. We are looking for $35-$50 per resident. Please send your contributions to The Mantoloking Reporter, PO Box #707, Mantoloking, NJ 08738.

Council Meeting, January 21, 2003

Walter Bray again asked Council to intervene with the state to do something about the very dangerous intersection at Herbert Street and Route 35. Paint lines to designate right and left turns. . .Runnie Colie agreed with Mr. Bray, and he asked what further action Council will take re the Fitzgerald case.

Police Chief Richard Ortley read his oath of office accompanied by former Chief Garon, and his father, former Mantoloking police officer Chet Ortley who pinned the Chief of Police badge on his son.

All members were present and the Mayor called the meeting to order at 8:07 pm.

The Police department reported 172 incidents during December.

The Superintendent’s report noted drainage problems at several places, and Councilman Nebel is particularly aware of the flooding on Runyon Lane. Clogged drainage systems there and on Barnegat Lane are among the future projects to be done this year.

The Fire Department responded to ten incidents during December, had two training drills and one meeting of its members. Assistant Chief Larry Gilman asked that residents supply the Fire and Police departments with contact phone numbers to allow them to notify you in case of needed access to their homes here. The fire personnel do not want to break into your house unless it is absolutely necessary. A recent situation of frozen water pipes in a house on Barnegat Lane demonstrated this dilemma. Water was cascading from the house; there was no one who had access. The owner had moved and fortunately he was located at his new address by the police in that community.

Five new construction permits were issued in December for alterations, siding and renovations.

Chief Financial Officer Roger E. Pribush reported bills paid totaled $190,854.03.

In new business, the following resolutions were passed: a. To consider transfers of budget appropriations within the 2002 municipal budget which includes $35,000 of legal expenses re the Fitzgerald suit; b.-j. to consider contract agreements for professional services, computer software support, computer hardware support, web site support with Osprey, animal control services, elevator maintenance service, Ocean County road services, CDL license compliance testing (drug and alcohol), and beach lobbying services. k.-n. to consider approval of resignation of Administrative Ass‚t/Court Violations clerk, Sandra Lewis and approve new Administration Ass‚t, Priscilla Anne Leuck; approve revised employee agreement with Deputy Court Clerk Nancy Klumb and with Court Administrator Sandra Maidling. o. Consider appointment of Deputy Fire Official, Michael Clayton. p.-s. Consider approval of payment for 2002 unused vacation/comp time, of police PBA contract, of Chief of Police contract, and of 2003 salaries. t. Consider memorializing the submission of the 2001 annual recycling and annual tonnage report and application for recycling grant, and v.&w. Consider approval of a change order for the roadway improvements to Downer Avenue, resulting in a decrease of $395.75; and consider authorization to advertise bids for a new fire pumper apparatus.

u. Ordinance #453 was passed by title only: This provides for the addition of a stop sign on East Avenue at Lyman Street, and for the adoption of an integrated ordinance whereby the provisions of traffic ordinances #179 and #193 shall be known as „an ordinance to regulate the direction of traffic on Princeton Avenue, Bay Avenue, Arnold Street and East Avenue, providing for certain related turn restrictions and for the location of stop intersections in the Borough of Mantoloking.‰

Councilman Jones reported that an inspection of the beach after the northeast storms at Christmas time resulted in some damage to the dune toe from Princeton Avenue to Newman Place, and the system north and south of this area remained undamaged. Tide action in early January returned much sand to the beach. The berm is still very small and could not afford much protection if a major storm occurs. But the present dune condition does not need bulldozing at this time, though another inspection should be done late in February, or in the event of a storm.

Councilman Husted said since most of the Congressional committees have changed personnel, nothing has been done on beach replenishment bills. Write your representatives!

Councilman Popaca said the county will help with the roadway paving in lieu of the new bridge construction and replacing of gas lines. The Arnold Street paving must wait until warmer weather. The new Municipal Garage is almost ready. And the Water Company will install new electric pumps, all internal, to raise water pressure in the Borough, mostly the southern section.

Councilman Jones said that the Flood Insurance Program has federal funding now and new mortgages will be available to homeowners. And the planning board is discussing decks and dunes, to alleviate the confusion in this matter.

Councilman Nebel said the 2003 Budget will be introduced at the next meeting. Local taxes should have an increase in the very low single digits. He met with Freeholder Bartlett and the preliminary indications are for a lower absolute dollar increase in County taxes.

Remember, dog licenses are due in January.

Council went into closed session to discuss contractual matters, pending litigation and receive advice of counsel.

Next meeting: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 at 8:00 pm

Adjournment: 8:45 pm