The 28th Annual Fourth of July Parade was a fabulous success. Even the weather cooperated by delivering a cooling sea breeze during the festivities. The whole Borough of Mantoloking turned out to watch our 21 local veterans and active duty military personnel, our volunteer firemen and women, local residents costumed in mostly patriotic regalia, march proudly through town. Even the Council members joined the parade. The Parade Committee deserves a loud round of applause for planning and producing a wonderful day. We all thank you.

Former Mayor Herbert W. Talbot died this morning. Bill was Mayor of the Borough from 1983 through 1986 and a Councilman from 1979 until he was elected Mayor. Council passed a resolution noting "that Bill Talbot was an effective and highly regarded public official who tirelessly sought to advance the interest and well-being of the Borough and its residents, and it is the desire of the Mayor and Council to extend their condolences to his family and to affirm their appreciation for his excellent public service."

Public comments: Mrs. Byer and other owners on Barnegat Lane have been bothered by rentals with noisy and destructive tenants. The police, state police and coast guard have been called to quiet unruly tenants, and she wonders if Council could require rental agents to mandate a Œwhat to expect of renters‚ policy. . . .Mr. Lindholm would like to know if all the revisions of the new Land Use Ordinance will be known to residents before it is passed. . . .Mr. Ryan urged Council to demand the State to reduce the speed on Route 35, to add a 4-way stop to Lyman and Barnegat Lane. Mrs. Hawkings questioned about stop signs and was told every stop sign must be approved by the State. . . .Mr. Flihan said that maybe only a fatality would cause the State to install a stop sign; he suggested making Barnegat Lane one-way, and do bicyclists have to obey traffic laws? Yes. . . .Mrs. Hughes recommended making Barnegat Lane local traffic only. Councilman Gillingham stated the Borough cannot cut off public access to public streets. . . .Mr. Royal as a child was told to watch out for the trains; now it's cars. What about installing speed bumps? Removable rubber bumps will be looked into by Council. Mayor Dunbar opened the meeting at 8:23 pm. All Council members were present.

July 24th, there will be a meeting in the fire house to discuss and learn about the beach renourishment program. Representatives of the Corps of Engineers, the Department of Environmental Protection and Killam will be there.

And in the Borough Municipal Court room on August 29th, from 4-7 pm, a presentation for building the new Mantoloking Bridge which is expected to be started in the fall of 2003 will take place.

During June, the Fire Company responded to 16 incidents, had three training exercises and one business meeting. Captain Larry Gilman reported the new incident command vehicle is in use, and he congratulated Firemen Weissenborn and Witkowski for passing all fire courses with exceptional grades and skill, particularly for old‚ men competing with 20 year olds.

Twelve new building permits and six updates were issued in June. Again, these were for decks, siding, roofing, demolition, alterations, additions, an inground pool and a tank removal.

Emergency Management director Dave Loughran asked residents to prepare themselves ahead of time in case of hurricane evacuation. At the base of the stairs in Borough Hall there are orange cardboard flyers directing residents what to do‚ in case of any emergency. Please take one for your household.

In new business, a resolution to consider approval of a contract for the installation of the public works garage roof and to rescind the prior resolution adopted June 17th due to non compliance, was passed.

Ordinance #448, providing for the reconstruction and increase the scope of work at the western end of Downer Avenue was passed by introduction only. The work will begin in the fall.

The following resolutions were passed: Consider the sale of the used 1995 Fire Chief‚s vehicle to Manchester Auto Sales for $2,087; consider the appointment of Roger E. Pribush as Chief Financial Officer and Tax Collector; consider amending the 2002 Salary Resolution for regular employees; consider schedule of new seasonal employees and fixing their wages; consider designation of borough check signers; consider approval of the return of $1,000 cash surety bond for a demolished home; consider the application of a new fire Company member, Neil A. Huber; consider approval of the 2001 Municipal Audit and Recommendations; and consider approval of closing Old Bridge Street for July 5th.

Ordinance #449, an ordinance amending Salary Ordinance #439 adopted February 19, 2002 and providing for revision of the salary for the Chief Financial Officer was passed by introduction only.

Councilman Gillingham and the Public Safety Committee have prepared „A Report to the Community‰ to answer public safety issues brought to their attention at the June Council meeting. This report can be accessed on the web site, Mantoloking.org or picked up at Borough Hall.

Councilman Jones reported the beach is huge at this time. As always it comes and goes.

Councilman Husted asks all residents to attend the Beach Renourishment meeting on July 24th at 7 pm in the Fire House.

Councilman Popaca reported the recent electric outages were transmission-line failures and not planned brownouts because of the excessive hot weather. Jersey Central Power and Light said they were accidental and their engineers are working on the problems.

CFO Pribush is hoping to get the new tax bills out by the statutory date of July 18th so we do not have to extend the interest-free period. Ocean County prints the bills.

Councilman Husted has received from the State of NJ a notice having to do with our permit for beach and dune maintenance, ie, bulldozing during storms, etc. which we can do if there is no environmental impact. We have been advised that the federally listed (threatened) and state listed (endangered) plant seabeach amaranth (Amaranthus pumilus) has become reestablished on certain NJ beaches, and would be adversely impacted by the authorized beach and dune maintenance activities. This plant vanished from Ocean County in 1913, but has been seen recently on the newly nourished beaches in Monmouth County. It is highly vulnerable and beaches 500 ft north of Princeton Avenue and 300 ft north and 100 feet south of Albertson Street have become protective zones by the Fish and Wildlife Service. Beach managers are advised that the amaranth growing season is from June to December, but the plants may not be evident on the beach until July. Beach raking, vehicle use, sand scraping, sand fencing, pedestrian walking etc. are prohibited in areas where the seabeach amaranth grows. A major storm could eliminate that problem, but cause another!

Council went into closed session to discuss contractual matters, pending litigation and receive advice of counsel.

Next meeting: Monday, August 19th at 8:00 pm