Bill Richardson asked Council why was snowplowing on East Avenue directed to the east side leaving 6‚ high by 8‚wide piles of snow, causing exit and egress difficulty for emergency and personal vehicles? Mayor Dunbar said the plows pushed snow to both sides of the street. Mr. Richardson asked about beach plowing, has anything been done about lighting on Barnegat Lane, and stated he thought the 70’ setback on East Avenue is arbitrary. . .Bob McIntyre asked Council to request a “quiet road surface” for State Highway 35, a quality of life issue. . . Carol Leone is disgusted with surfers who disrobe on Lyman Street. And is anything being done about visual obstructions at Lyman Street corners on Ocean Avenue and Barnegat Lane? Shrubs and trees block motorists‚ views. . .Walter Bray sited the April 11th AAP article which referred to State Senator Tom Kean, Jr’s position to eliminate county government’s Freeholders. We, Mantoloking, get nothing from them except high taxes.

The Council meeting was called to order at 8:12. Mr. Nebel had been excused.

Sgt. Dreher asked residents to please bag fresh-kill crows and call the police to pick them up. Traffic enforcement will start in earnest on Barnegat Lane.

Larry Gilman was appointed Fire Chief as Richard Laird, accepting a new position, has taken a leave of absence. During March, the Fire Company responded to 13 incidents, had four training drills and one scheduled meeting.

Eight new building permits and three updates were issued during March which included moving a house, demolition of another, building a retaining wall around a tennis court, roofing, a/c units, room additions and other alterations.

The Borough’s bill list totaled $1,213,550.01, $900,000 for 2nd quarter taxes to the County, the rest was routine. CFO Pribush has sent sewer bills and reminded residents of 2nd quarter taxes due May 1st.

In old business, Ordinance #456, after a public hearing, was passed. It provides for a sum not to exceed $360,000 for a fire apparatus, appropriating $18,000 from the capital improvement fund as a down payment and authorizing issuance of bonds and notes. Ordinance #457, after a public hearing, was passed. It provides for upgrading Barnegat Lane from Bergen Avenue to Lyman Street. This will cost approximately $215,600, with the NJDOT supplying $125,000 through the Transportation Trust Fund Municipal Aid formula program.

Ordinance #458, providing for appropriating $60,000 from the general capital fund for municipal garage renovations, was passed. Ordinance #459, appropriating $10,000 from the general capital fund for the new Borough garage sprinkler system, was passed. Ordinance #460, for the construction of curbs at the intersection of Runyon Lane and Albertson Street, was passed. Ordinance #461, for the construction of a curb, a walk and an apron at the new garage was passed. Ordinance #462, for additional funds to complete the Downer Avenue upgrade project (by June 30th) was passed. And, Ordinance #463 providing for municipal employees called to active military duty was passed.

In new business, the following resolutions were passed: Award the contract for the purchase of a new police vehicle to Route 23 Ford and Nissan Automall of Butler, NJ for a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria for $20,418 delivered; Approve the 2002 Recycling Tonnage Grant Application; Approve the proclamation of National Volunteer Week, April 27th to May 3rd; Approve the proclamation of Older Americans Month for May 2003 (who dreams up this stuff). Actually, „this honors and endorses all programs in Ocean County which encourage the sharing of talents, wisdom and lifetime experiences of the older population through their imvolvement with others.‰

And consider opposing the proposed improvements to State Highway #35. The NJDOT has circulated details of its planned modifications to Route 35, widening along both sides of the highway plus shoulder and drainage improvements. The plans currently under consideration, as proposed by the Parsons Transportation Group ( Alternative 9C) show widening by 5 feet along the west side and up to 20 feet on the east side, from 500 feet south of downer Avenue to 800 feet north of Herbert Street. All interested persons are urged to communicate their views to the New Jersey department of Transportation and to attend any public hearing which may be held, possibly in June. Council vehemently opposes this project and will communicate with all affected residents.

Ordinance #464, to amend Ordinance #445, providing for sanitary sewer pump upgrade, authorizing issuance of bonds and notes of $171,000, was passed by title only.

Councilman Gillingham reported the dune at Downer Avenue will not be broken, so the Borough is in the process of creating a handicap-access ramp. There will be no all-terrain vehicles, or police patrol, on the beach this summer but will be at the call of badge checkers and on bicycle patrol.

Councilman Husted said that 50% of the beach is damaged and will require replenishing when there is enough sand to bulldoze. We do have the permit to allow us to do that. Lots of steps need to be rebuilt.

Councilman Popaca has overseen the repair of walkways, ramps and stairways over the dunes. Street lighting on the southern end of Barnegat Lane will be augmented with four lights, and Runyon Lane needs two lights.

Councilman Layman says the garbage department is doing ok, and that Mantoloking is beautiful.

The Ocean County Hazardous Waste Disposal Program will be accepting hazardous waste at the Public Works Garage, 836 Ridge Road in Brick on tuesday May 13th at noon until 6:00 pm. Call 732 367-0802 to pre-register. There is no program for our immediate area.