Last chance: The Mantoloking Directory will go to press the first week of May. If your infor- mation published therein has changed, please phone 732 899-2386 or e-mail (ccwilder@comcast.net) with changes, additions and/or corrections.

The United States Postal Service has become very specific. Mail will be delivered to post-office boxes if the box number is written on the address. If you have no mail receptacle on your premises, mail will be returned to sender. No exceptions.

All Councilmen were present and the Mayor opened the meeting promptly at 8pm with comments from the public. Peter Flihan reiterated his plea about low water pressure. What will happen when summer comes? The water company has installed two 500-gallon booster pumps to use then, said Councilman Popaca. . . Marilyn Potter asked Council to 'draw' pedestrian walkway lines on Route 35. The Mayor said he would ask the County but don't expect an answer for many months.

The Mayor reminded everyone that Borough office hours will be from 9am to 3pm, May 1st through September 30th. And Councilman Popaca will attend a meeting about installing windmill power turbines from Asbury Park to Manasquan inlet.

A resolution was passed confirming the appointment of Ronald Laird, an employee of the Brick Utilities Authority, as the 2005 Licensed Sewer Operator of Record for the Borough.

Many residents will be pleased that Council passed a resolution declaring the month of May as Older Americans' Month, the theme of which is to "Celebrate Long Term Living." This recognizes the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program administered by the Ocean County Board of Social Services to assist old people.

The Mayor welcomed Detective John Barcus who has returned to the police department after serving in Iraq. Det. Barcus thanked Council and residents for their kindness to his family while he was away. Among other things, he reported a larceny on Runyon Lane. The culprit was apprehended, is jailed and 90% of items taken have been returned. "No Solitation" stickers are available at the Police Dept.

Doug Popaca reported for the Fire Company that four houses will be demolished in the near future. The Fire Company will conduct training drills in them, real life drills which mimic actual situations but without the fire.

Construction Official Wardell issued eight new building permits and 18 updated ones. Many were to update heating systems, renovate kitchens and add rooms and bathrooms.

The Land Use Officer's summary for March: Of eighteen applications, fifteen were approved; one certificate of compliance was issued, and seven violation notices were issued. The following bond ordinances were passed after public hearings:

No. 492: Providing for acquisition and install- ation of a surge suppression system for the Municipal Building/Fire House at a project cost of $20,000, authorizing bonds and notes of $18,000 and appropriating $2,000 from the capital improvement fund;

No. 493: Providing for Green Acres funding for land acquisition to cost $20,000, authorizing bonds and notes of $18,000 and appropriating $2,000 from the capital improvement fund.(This is to buy vacant land along BarnegatLane if available, so to alleviate flooding problems by keeping it unimproved. Maybe the State would give us a grant for this purpose.)

No. 494: Providing for relocating storm drain- age facilities on Runyon Lane for $82,800, authorizing bonds and notes of $77,600 and appropriating $45,200 from the capital improvement fund, and repealing Ord. No. 475;

No. 495: Providing for acquisition and install- ation of equipment to convert to a bioxide solution instead of chlorine at the sanitary sewer pump station at a cost of $20,000, authorizing bonds and notes of $18,000 and appropriating $2,000 from the capital improvement fund;

No. 496: Providing for construction of cross- walks at the intersection of Downer and Bay Avenue at a project cost of $20,000, authorizing bonds and notes of $18,000 and appropriating $2,000 from the capital improvement fund.

Bond Ordinance No. 497 was introduced. It provides for roadway improvements on Barnegat Lane from Lyman to Herbert Street, at a cost of $395,100, authorizing issuance of bonds and notes of $374,100, appropriating $21,000 from the capital improvement fund, and repealing Ordinance No. 474.

Councilman Nebel put forward the following resolutions, which were passed:

Payment of bills totalling $1,335,123.44 included second-quarter taxes of $1,189,243.79 to Ocean County and $40,269.50 for the Mantoloking Board of Education. The rest of the bills were routine;

Requesting approval from the Director of the Division of Local Government Services for $684.16 from the State of New Jersey, Division of Criminal Justice, under the caption of 2005 Body Armor Grant; Requesting the Director of the Division of Local Government Services approve the sum of $2,865.83 which is available from the State of New Jersey, Division of Motor Vehicles under the caption of 2005 Drunk Driving Enforcement Fund:

Requesting the Director of the Division of Local Government Services to approve the sum of $4,000 available from the State of New Jersey, DEP, under the caption of 2005 Clean Communities Grant; Approve the close out of the "A.T.Fragoman Beach Preservation Account" and deposit the funds into the Current Fund, titled "Reserve for Beach/Dune Restoration;"

Consider waiver of permit fees for Mantoloking participants in the spring 2005 "Municipal Alliance Committee of Pt Pleasant Beach, Bay Head and Mantoloking Garage Sale Charity Fund Raiser;"

Request approval to change the title in the Gen- eral Appropriations category under the Capital Improve- ments-Excluded from "CAPS" section "Public Works Truck" in the amount of $55,000 to "Beach Replenishment" in the amount of $55,000; and Provide for the establishment of a local agency to enforce the New Jersey State Uniform Construction Code. There is no longer a BOCA code.

The Public Safety Committee impowered the Mayor to hire a consultant to research a new fire siren. Dominick is no longer our garbage collector; we now have Anthony.

The Regionalization Committee will meet to see if the area needs or desires a Regional Recreation Facility. A resolution was passed to authorize aerial spraying for mosquito control, only if necessary, to combat the pesky pests.

Councilman Husted said the Senate is working on a new WRDA Bill to be submitted soon. Senators McCain and Finegold, both from land-locked states, oppose as they have disagreements with the Corps of Engineers. Congress is preparing its own version of the WRDA Bill and The New Jersey Alliance for Action Inc. intends to develop an Agenda Paper on key issues for the future and present it.

Councilman Jones said the beach has survived the recent storms with only a few places in minor jeopardy, but there is little beach at high tide.

Beach Cleanup Day is this Saturday, April 23rd. Meet at the Downer Street beach at 9am. You'll get some food and a beverage.

Next meeting:: May 16, 2005 at 8pm.

The Reporter is compiled and edited by Christine Wilder.