Jim Brown said this year’s‚ 4th of July parade will honor the Borough's Emergency Service Workers - Police, Fire, Ambulance and all members of the Armed Services. This is always a fun day for all residents of Mantoloking, their families and guests. Come march, cheer, run in the races, eat hot dogs and hamburgers provided by the Mantoloking Fire Company, have the children ride the fire engines and enjoy the games. The Parade Committee is thinking of hiring a brass band, and is hoping to get donations made out to “Mantoloking 4th of July” and mailed to PO Box #252, Mantoloking 08738. . . Jim Gillespie would like to know what can be done about the speeding automobiles on Route 35. One risks his life trying to cross. . . Walter Bray addressed the overbuilding of Mantoloking. He said the Planning Board is responsible to protect the town, that it is in place to represent the people and its laws, and its job is not to grant variances but to reject them. Just because someone is nice and has a lot of money does not mean he is automatically granted a variance. . . Mary Ann Wagner asked where applications begin, with the Planning Board or the Council. The Planning Board does not originate, it revises and returns to the Council.

Mayor Dunbar opened the Council meeting at 8:12 pm. All Council members were present.

The Police Department reported 191 incidents during April. Lt. Ortley said all summer employees have been hired, including eight badge checkers. The Police boat is in the water and all is ready for summer. . .The International Association of Chiefs of Police has issued Certificates of Training to Lt. Rick Ortley and Ptl. Mark Wright for successfully completing training in “First Line Supervision.” . . .During April the Fire Company responded to eight incidents, had three training drills and a regularly scheduled business meeting. There were five fire alarm activations, a defective range hood, a car accident and a structure fire.

Construction Official Wardell issued eight building permits and seven updates during April, for additions, alterations, repairs, an inground pool, a hot tub with heater, a deck, plumbing and a roof repair. . Superintendent Heckman continues work on the garage, surveyed portapotties and dumpsters for the building department, installed a new catch basin and landscaped the west side of Lyman Street.

CFO Crelin mailed sewer bills April 19th which are due May 1st with 90 days to pay. These are post card bills and if you haven’t received one contact him. He has received payment from 48% of the residents.

Verizon is shutting off the pay phone outside the Police Department because it isn‚t profitable to them. We could maintain the service for $65 a month or purchase our own phone for $1,000 and pay $35 a month to Verizon, a savings of $360 per year. The Borough will collect all fees paid into the phone. It should be operational by mid-June.

In old business, Ordinance #445, authorizing the issuance of bonds for $95,000 and appropriating $5,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund to upgrade the sewer Pump House, was passed.

Ordinance #446 was approved. It ordains that Ordinance #444 which is an amendment to the Land Use Ordinance shall be rescinded and repealed, effective December 31, 2002. All other provisions of the of the Land Use Ordinance of the Borough shall remain in full force and effect. The Planning Board will have several meetings during June with a resolution to be sent to Council in July.

And in new business, the following resolutions were passed:

a. To authorize the execution of a memorandum of understanding with the US Environmental Protection Agency and the NJ DEP. This partnership will monitor and manage sea level rise which is rising along the coast of New Jersey at a rate of 1.2-1.6 inches per decade.

b. To accept the bids for the sale of Surplus Personal Property of two used, 1999 Polaris Sportsman 335 4 x 4 All Terrain Vehicles from Jersey One Auto Sales for a total of $5,931.00.

c. To provide for the approval of Ocean County Construction Inspection Department all code agreement, plumbing and fire protection subcode official services.

d. To approve privatization of the pay phone adjacent to the Police Department.

e. To support NJ Assembly Bill A-1390 which provides additional municipal funds through federal grants for firefighters‚ equipment, fire safety and education.

f. To support NJ Assembly Bill A-996 which allows qualified firefighters and first aid squad members to claim a $5,000 NJ State Income Tax reduction.

g. Consider payment #1 for the Lyman Street bulkhead replacement.

h. Consider approval of seasonal employees and their salaries.

i. Consider opposition of Senate Bill S-1222 that proposes changes in the PFRS State pension rules.

j. Consider support of Save Barnegat Bay‚s opposition to the Traders Cove redevelopment.

Councilman Gillingham would ask residents if they might provide a parking space for beach checkers and lifeguards so they wouldn‚t have to worry about their cars being ticketed. . . . Councilman Jones said the beach is in good shape, that Channel 4 was filming and talking to residents on and about the beach, to be aired sometime in the future.

Councilman Husted said the continued guaranteed $25 million from NJ was vital to any hope of Army Corps renourishment program. "The efforts of the residents who wrote, at the Borough's request, to Governor McGreevy regarding the vital importance of this funding in spite of budget problems played a significant role in obtaining guaranteed funding for 2002 & 2003 in letters sent to the Borough confirming the fact with particular thanks to George Ring and Dick Sameth.

Councilman Popaca said the garage is coming along, but it is necessary to hire professionals to do the roof. . . And no matter how much rain you think we’ve had lately, WATER RESTRICTIONS are in effect. No washing cars, driveways, sidewalks, etc. and water lawns and gardens every other (odd-even)‚ day. Set your timers to every other day.

There will be a meeting during the summer to advise residents about the bridge and its building, when it will start and where it will cross.

Weekenders: Please do not put your trash and recycling on the curb. It looks awful. Call the Borough to say you have trash and it will be picked up from your back door.

Council went into closed session to discuss contractual matters, pending litagation and to receive advice from counsel

Next meeting: Monday, June 17th at 8:00 pm