The Mantoloking Parade will be part of a special day on Sunday, July 4th, to celebrate our Country's 228th year of Independence and to honor our service men and women, our veterans and our police and fire personnel. The formal flag raising is at 10:30 am, the Parade at 11:30 followed by food and beverages and children's games. At 1:00 the Casie and Chrissy Memorial Mile Race will be launched, with shorter races for kids under twelve, and for those under six.. Canoe races will be at 2:00. Jim and Mary Brown and Don and Nadia Lasher expect a large turnout, and urge residents to bring their friends and family. Jack and Mary McGeown (732 899-6171) said donations are appreciated, payable to 'Mantoloking Fourth of July', Box 252, Mantoloking, NJ 08738. Harold Lyons and Jack McGeown were presented with a check to defray some of the costs. The Navesink Brass Band will play and two grand marshalls are to be announced.

Mayor Dunbar presented a Certificate of Participation in the Louis Bay II Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition to State Finalist John D. Popaca, a junior in high school who has been a dedicated worker in Mantoloking activities and wrote a winning essay about local government.

All Council members were present. Minutes of previous meetings were approved. A resolution to declare May as 'Older American's Month' was passed.

Police Chief Ortley reported there were 153 incidents during April, many false alarms in houses, several borough ordinance violations, vehicle enforcements and a found animal.

The Fire Company had nine fire calls, three training drills and one meeting. Seven calls were fire alarms, one gas leak and one wires down.

Fourteen new and six construction updates were issued in April, for roofing, plumbing, siding, demolishing a garage, remodeling a kitchen, etc..

Ordinance #483 amending Ordinance #482 entitled "An ordinance amending Ordinance #271 entitled 'An ordinance to promote and preserve the public peace, safety and general welfare within the Borough; and to repeal Ordinance #115 and providing for limitations or prohibition of commercial construction activity'" was passed by title only. This revision adds "Commerical construction activities of any nature whatsoever shall not be permitted on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, or on any Sunday. During the period from June 15th to September 15th no construction activity of any nature whatsoever shall be permitted on Saturdays. Commercial landscape maintenance activity shall be permitted until 12 noon on Saturday, upon the condition that vehicles associated with the activity shall not be parked on public roads."

A resolution to approve the revised employees manual was passed. Each Borough employee shall be provided with a copy.

Councilman Nebel reported the Borough tax rate has increased 1.5%, the lowest increase in many years. The County rate has dropped five cents ($.36 per $100). He said the freeholders should be applauded for holding the line on taxes.

Resolutions naming additional official depositories for monies, approving the release of a surety bond to a resident whose garage was demolished, and refunding Mantoloking dog tag fees to an individual who has a Mantoloking postal address but lives in Brick, were passed.

A resolution to appoint the following: Bryan Behan as a part-time police officer, and Chris Fagan, Thomas Mauro, J. Renig, Joseph Begyn and Michael DeRosa as seasonal police officers effective May 17th, and Helen Carver as a beach badge clerk as of May 28th, was passed.

A resolution to approve the closing of the eastern end of Downer Avenue on July 31st from 5pm to 8pm for a social event connected to the 2004 Leiter Cup Regatta was granted.

Councilman Laymon reported the new signs of welcome to Mantoloking and the new benches will be 'planted' by July 4th. He also is working out the few glitches connected to garbage collections and recycling. Newspapers will be picked up on Wednesdays but they must be tied and placed at the curb. Magazines, separately, must be tied and placed at the curb as well.

Dune and beach bulldozing has been authorized. It is important that all beachfront residents comply with this as it is only affective if all properties along the beach are 'dozed.

A resolution to oppose the State Legislature's adoption of A-2052, the Contractor's Registration Act, was passed. However, the Council's passage is mute, as this Act was signed into law May 13th. Now municipalities are barred from enforcing ordinances which govern licensing or registration of contractors and/or impose security requirements; all fees will inure to the benefit of the State, depriving municipalities of local control and revenue. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs now has jurisdiction over this municipal function which will take effect in 180 days.

Councilman Jones said, though he received only a seven percent response to his recent Flood Hazard Mitigation survey, residents were pleased with the accuracy of the Borough's information.

Councilman Popaca is very concerned about the water we drink. Pets can pollute our water. When left on the ground, pet waste is washed by rain and melting snow and ice into storm drains that carry it to the rivers, lakes, oceans, bays and drinking water. PICK UP YOUR PET'S POOP! Wrap it, place it in the garbage or flush it down the toilet. The Borough has pet-waste laws and fines for those who do not comply with the laws.

The Borough would very much like to have e-mail addresses of its residents in order to make quick contact when necessary. The Borough website can be used to send your address, www.mantoloking.org. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm and Council went into closed session to discuss certain matters.

The next Council meeting will take place on Monday, June 21st at 8 pm.