Council met March 29th for a special meeting. Council members Nebel and Laymon had been excused.

Gloria R. Gledhill of New Jersey American Water spoke to Council about new rates in effect in February, bill paying online, hydrant flushing schedule can be accessed online and the hydrants can only be used by the Fire Company.

There was a public hearing on the Budget. No one commented. The Budget, $1,972,469.94 to be raised by taxation, was passed.

Three resolutions were passed: two bids to provide a single axle dump truck were rejected; authorization to close Barnegat Lane from Bergen Avenue north for road improvements; and, to award service and maintenance contracts.

April 19th: Mayor Dunbar announced the schedule for the July 4h festivities. The Flag raising will be at 10:30, the Parade steps off at 11:30, the Casie and Chrissy Memorial Run, at 1:00 with games and canoe races to follow. . .the Mantoloking bridge was delayed because of the flounders' return and late delivery of steel from China. It is expected the bridge will be completed in December of 2005. . .Councilman Laymon reported the bridge will open fewer times but for longer periods. The NJ Marine Police will line up boats on the north and south sides, and they will pass through one side at a time. Sailboat tows will be discouraged, and small craft ,i.e., kayaks, jet skis will have to line up too.. . .Mayor Dunbar commended Peter Strohm for his efforts with the DOT to eliminate the widening of Route 35, and his concerned talks with officials about the abolishment of sending school districts. . . Residents take note: No construction should take place without notifying the Building Department or stop orders will be issued.

The Police reported a quiet month of March with only 158 incidents. The Fire Company responded to eleven fire calls, eight of which were alarms, one brush fire and one chimney fire, had five drills and one meeting. Two additional fire sirens or horns will be placed in the vicinity of 1082 Barnegat Lane and 1516 Runyon Lane. They all will be much quieter.

The Construction Official issued twelve new permits and 8 updates during March, for everything from a generator to remodeling kitchens and rebuilding a house. Emergency Management met to discuss the safety of the residents of Mantoloking during hurricanes, flooding, environmental spills, fire incidents, power outages, highway closures and other incidents that might direct the EM team to be operational.

Mayor Dunbar appointed two additional alternate members to the Planning Board, James Clarke as Alter nate #3 and Marilyn Potter, Alternate #4 for terms of two years.

The County has mandated that newspapers must be tied for recycling, not placed in bags of plastic or paper. Recycling rules are changing and a new information sheet will be available within two weeks.

Councilman Gillingham moved the following resolutions: To accept the municipal finance officer's report and to approve the 2004 budget emergency.

After a public hearing with no comments, Council passed Ordinances #475 through #481 which were introduced at the last meeting. They are bond ordinances pertaining to the bulkhead replacement at Downer Avenue, the garage renovations in the Municipal building, acquisition of a generator and improvements for Emergency Management Service Headquarters, replacement of Fire/Emergency Signals and acquisition of computers and software for finance and police,

Ordinance #482 to promote and preserve the public peace, safety and general welfare of the Borough, curtails all construction activity from noon on Saturday and on Sundays, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

A resolution to pay the bills for the month of April totaling $225,672.71 was passed. A resolution to provide for engaging a payroll service provider, effective July first, Action Data Services of West Caldwell, New Jersey, was passed. A resolution to cancel capital ordinance balances of completed projects was moved and passed.

Approval of items of revenue and appropriations were resolved. This inserts an item of revenue in the budget year 2004 from the Department of Law and Public Safety, $682.88 for 2004 Body Armor Grant; from the State of New Jersey, DEP, $4,000 for the 2004 Clean Communities Grant; and $2,405.72 from the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management for an Emergency Management grant.

Council resolved to distribute free beach badges to Borough employees and members of the Mantoloking Fire Company. It also resolved to grant unpaid family leave to the Court Administrator, Sandra Maidling.

A resolution to cancel sewer charges for a demolished residence was passed.

The Mayor and Council approved the following persons as seasonal police officers: Joseph Begyn, Chris Fagan, J. Reining, Thomas Mauro and Michael DeRosa, all effective June 1, 2004. Lisa Fischer was appointed temporary deputy Court Administrator as of March 30th.

Council awarded the contract for a single axle dump truck with a stainless steel body to Hunter Jersey Peterbuilt, LLP for $106,800.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm. The next Council meeting will be April 19th at 8:00 pm.