Walter Bray congratulated Nadia and Don Lasher for the magnificent job they did for the July 4th festivities. And Peter Flihan said it was a fabulous day, a great parade and a wonderful day. The Fire Company's breakfast was a tremendous success and the Shmierer family are wonders and he hopes it will be an annual event.

All except Councilman Laymon were present at this meeting.

Police Chief Ortley reported a very busy June with 231 incidents: among them only one boat stop, five animal complaints, eleven Borough ordinance violations, six DWI arrests, five suspicious persons and two suspicious vehicles, three thefts and a water leak.

The Mantoloking Fire Company responded to ten fire calls, had two drills and assisted two residents with restringing their flag poles. The fire calls included a car fire and two structure fires, all in Bay Head.

Construction Official Wardell issued ten new building permits and updated sixteen permits. These included one new house, interior changes to existing structures, decks, kitchen cabinets, AC platforms, garage demolition and plumbing changes.

Land Use Officer Guldin in June processed 21 applications and approved twenty. One foundation survey was approved and one stop order was issued. Applications include garage sales, tents, sheds, new houses, fences, landscaping, additions, etc.

Councilman Nebel resolved to accept the report of the Municipal Finance Officer as of May 31st.

Councilman Jones brought up the discussion on the reassessment or revaluation of the Borough. Tax assessor, Jim Anderson, recommends the Borough do a reassessment before the State Department of Taxation orders a revaluation. The average ratio of sales price to assessment is 56%, other municipalities in the county are 49-50%. All municipalities in the county, except Seaside, Bay Head and Mantoloking, have been ordered to revalue. Councilman Gillingham is willing to wait as historically the Borough's share of county taxes is increased after a reassessment. Councilman Nebel concurred. A revaluation, if ordered, would bring an outside company onto every property and into every house in the Borough, and cost taxpayers $200,000 to $300,000, whereas an "in house" reassessment would be done by Mr. Anderson for $25,000 and no house would need to be entered. Council voted to reassess.

Ordinance #499 amending Ordinance #465, The Land Use Ordinance, providing for regulation of critical facilities within the 500 year flood plain was passed. This ordinance states "new critical facilities, as defined in the National Flood Insurance program rules shall not be constructed within the 500 year flood plain" and existing critical facilities which may be improved shall be protected to the 500 year flood level.

Finance Chairman Nebel present the following nine resolutions which were all passed. Bill payment of $218,000, all routine, and about half for payroll; approve release of cash surety bond; refund a payment for a Borough flag; authorize the sale of municipal property, i.e., a 2003 used Ford, and a used public works utility trailer; request approval of items of revenue and appropriation; to allow a property tax payment extension to August 15th; give beach badges free of charge to Borough employees and fire company members; appoint Jennifer B. King as court violations clerk, effective August 25, 2005, and accept the 2004 municipal Audit Report.

Councilman Gillingham stated no bids were accepted for the emergency public notification system. There have been three times sealed bids were opened and two times all were rejected as the specifications were less than perfectly satisfactory, so Council cannot act tonight. One bid has not been rejected as there is room for negotiation without more bidding. The award may be made shortly.

The Chief of Traffic safety has allowed cones placed on Route 35 at the Downer and Herbert Street crossings. These keep cars from passing on the right and protect pedestrians crossing to and from the beach. A countdown crossing meter is to be placed at Herbert Street to let pedestrians know how many seconds they have to cross the intersection. And a traffic light will be installed at Lyman Street and Route 35 to be active in the summer only.

The Borough and its Police Chief have deemed it necessary to adopt a manual for police officers to set forth rules and regulations of the police department and various personnel issues pertaining to members of the police force. The resolution was passed

The Garbage and Recycling Committee has reported M&S is 90% on track, doing a good job.

The resolution to submit an annual recycling report, annual tonnage report and application for the 2004 tonnage grant was passed. This means the Borough has continued to implement its recycling program in accordance with regulations and it desires to apply for and to receive any entitlement available under the recycling tonnage grant program and to apply for all grants available.

A resolution to consider the waiver of permit fees for Mantoloking participants in the fall of 2005 for the town-wide "Municipal alliance committee of Pt Plesant Beach, Bay Head and Mantoloking garage sale charity fund raiser" was passed. This will take place on Saturday, September 24th with a rain date on Sunday, September 25th. Participants will make a donation of $10, the addresses of all participants will be listed on a map that will be distributed at local businesses prior to and during the garage sale. The money will go toward Project Graduation expenses. The Spring Garage Sale was a huge success. Questions? Call Marie Kurtzke at 732 701-0403. She is the Coordinator of the Municipal Alliance Committee.

Councilman Popaca noted the damage to the newly completed sidewalks and curb at 988 Barnegat Lane by a private contractor has resulted in a Borough agreement with the property owner to bear the cost of the repair and/or replace the damaged concrete for a net cost of $1,800 and F & P Contractors (the company who did the improvements to Barnegat Lane) will make the repairs. It is deemed to be in the public interest to do this.

A resolution to award the contract for an emergency standby generator (60KY) with automatic transfer gency standby generator (60KY) with automatic transfer switch to Atlantic Detroit Diesel for $14,602, was passed.

A resolution to make the final payment for the textured crosswalks on Downer and Bay Avenues in the amount of $17,400, was passed.

Councilman Popaca noted there will be a meeting of the Regionalization and Shared Services Committee on August 13th. He stated the water complaints have stopped and water pressure is not much of a problem anymore.

Councilman Husted wrote the House just approved the WRDA bill by a vote of 406-14. It authorizes several Corps of Engineer projects and provides policy guidance to the agency. It does not appropriate funds to projects. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved its version of WRDA in April. We are waiting for this bill to come to the full Senate for consideration. Any differences between the House and Senate bills will need to be resolved in conference negotiations between the two chambers.

Marlowe and Company, our lobbyist in Washington will be at the next Council meeting on August 15th.

Councilman Jones is worried about the beach, there is not as much of it as in other years. At high tide, in places, there is not but maybe three feet of beach. We need clear weather and strong west winds to repair our beach, and help from Washington.

Dog walkers! Please pick up after your dog.

Council went into closed session. The next Council meeting will be Monday, August 15th at 8 pm.

The Reporter is compiled and edited by Christine Wilder.